Donald Champion

He was born in Warren and lived in Tiona until he joined the Army Air Corps (Air Force) immediately after graduating from War-ren High School in 1948. He served in the Air Force for six years, where he met his wife, Lorinia Ruth Steele from Maryville, Tennessee. He was proud of serving his country as a Staff Sergeant and Flight Engineer during the Korean War and was particularly proud of flying in the Ber-lin Airlift.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved to shoot Trap. He was a “pretty good shot” from a young age, which was pro-ven when his neighbor took him to the Rod and Gun Club, at the age of 11, and had Don shoot a piece of chalk out of his hand with a .22 rifle! Yes…they were different times for sure, to say the least.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and step-parents, Dirl and Ber-nice Champion; Paul and Agnes Stanley; Sister and brother-in-law Glenn and Lilyan Grosch; sister-in-law Avonelle Champion; an in-fant brother who died at birth, James Champion; Son, Larry Champion; Granddaughter Stephanie Saber.

He is survived by: His wife of 61 years, Ruth Champion of Barnes; Brother J.D. Champion of Youngsville; Son, Paul Champion of Traverse City MI.; Daughter and Son-in-law, Frank and Judy Work of Chalis, ID; Daughter and Son-in law, Fred and Donna Kukla of Traverse City, MI.; Grandchildren, Sarah Singer, Scott Kukla and Lindsey Kukla; Great grandson Joseph Pedrotti.

Friends are invited to his memorial service at the Barnes United Methodist Church on Monday, July 6 at 6 p.m. Military burial to follow at the Barnes Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Barnes United Methodist Church, P.O Box 960, Shef-field, Pa. 16347; The Shef-field Volunteer Fire Depart-ment, P.O Box 551, Shef-field, Pa. 16347; Sheffield Ambulance Service, 318 S. Main St., Sheffield, Pa. 16347; Veterans Emergen-cy Fund, 204 Fourth Ave-nue, Warren, Pa., 16365; DAV Transportation, 905 West Fourth Ave., Warren Pa., 16365. Arrangements are in charge of the Borden-Lloyd Funeral Home.