Donald Gurth Rapson passed away and joined his Savior on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Donald was born on May 31, 1930, in New Castle, PA, a son of Gurth W. and Alice M. Rapson. He graduated from New Wilmington High School in 1948 then enlisted in the US Air Force, where he served in Japan and Korea until 1952. He played baseball on a championship US Air Force team while in Japan. After the service, he worked 35 years for Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania which later became Verizon. He met his future wife Joanne Bees while dancing at the Eastbrook dance hall and married her in November 1955.

Don was a 32nd degree Mason in the Lodge of Craft Westminster, New Castle, served with the Rotary Club of Hermitage, and was a Scoutmaster and Little League coach.

Don was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church, Hermitage, serving faithfully in many capacities.

He loved camping, hunting, bus trips (taking 198 trips with Anderson Tours), Pirates baseball, ice cream and his great-grandsons, Caspian, Hudson and Andrew.

Donald is survived by his four children, Marcee (Richard Jeffrey) Foltz, Brad Rapson, Doug Rapson, and Jodi Waldron. He had four grandchildren, Lauren (Harry) Peltz, Kate (Jim) Duncan, Tyler (Abbey) Waldron and Derek (Olivia) Waldron; and three great-grandsons. He is also survived by three sisters, Joanne Donley, Judy Perry, and Karen (Jim) DeLost.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters, Jeanne Weisbaker and Marjorie Henderson; a brother, Dick Rapson; and a son-in-law, Jeff Waldron.

The family suggests memorial gifts be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, at www.StJude.org; or to the Benevolent Fund of Shenango on the Green, 238 S. Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16142.

No service will be held at this time. Entombment and a celebration of life will be held at a future date. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com