Donald George Ries, 91, of Ellwood City passed away, Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late George and Izetta (McMillan) Ries and was born November 29, 1931, in Pittsburgh.
Don is survived by his loving wife, of 10 years, Karen. He is survived by his children; Donna Rose Ries and Jon of Denver, CO, Douglas Donald Ries and his wife Lori of Ellwood City, Diane Ries and her husband Keith of Dallas, two stepsons; Rich and Barb Wilson of Ellwood City, Randy and Mindy Wilson of Ellwood, 4 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, two brothers- in-law; Fred Wulf and Ernie Pinyot, and his loving dog; PawPaw.
He was a graduate of Munhall High School in 1951. Don was a US Army Veteran, serving proudly during the Korean War. He met and married Dolores “Dee” Pignat, in 1957 and they were married 49 years. Don was a 60-year Volunteer Firefighter with the Ellwood City Fire Department. He was a long-time member of the Carpenters Project. He was also a member of the Zima Field Flying Club. Don was also very involved with the Ellwood City Historical Society, and he built the Pe’ Wee’s model. He was retired, after 22 years of service, from the Ellwood City Area School District, as the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. He also served on the Ellwood City Area School District’s School Board in the early 1970’s and served one term as School Board President. He also loved his Manhattan’s and enjoyed one, each night, at 8:00pm. Don and Karen were involved with Meals on Wheels beginning in 2019, brining hot meals to shut-ins all over our community. He was also an avid woodworker and skilled carpenter and enjoyed intarsia. He loved to meet new people and his ice breaker was the only card trick he knew. He married his second wife, Karen Wilson on March 17, 2013, and they were married until his passing. He was extremely proud to have the title of the “Longest living Ries”. To know Don was to love him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and well known by so many all over our community.
He was preceded in death by his first wife; Dolores Ries, his sisters; Laila Englebret and her husband Gordon, Louise Wulf, one brother; Jesse Ries and his wife Betty, and Izetta Wilson and her husband Jim.
Friends may call on the family on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, from 1pm-6pm with a Firefighter Honor Service conducted by the Ellwood City Fire Department at 5:00PM. An additional time of visitation will be Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 10:00am-11:00am with US Army Veteran Honors followed by Funeral Services at 11:00am at Turner’s, with Pastor Tom Betlyn, officiating
Private Entombment will be in the Mausoleum at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Ellwood City.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made, in Don’s name, to Challenges of Ellwood City or Wiley Hill Baptist Church
Arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES located at 6th and Park in Ellwood City
Don will be truly missed. He never let pass an opportunity to make someone laugh and he honestly loved life. He touched many lives and made them better.