Donald (Donnie/Don) Harshfield, 81, of Arcadia, Fla., formerly of West Mansfield, passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 9, 1939, the second son of Lawrence and Rosemond Dean Harshfield.
Don married Judy Landon on Nov. 13, 1961, and they were blessed with a son, Robert Dean, Fairborn, and daughter, Dorothy (Danny) Slone, Delaware. Their grandchildren are Jeremy (Taylor) Ridge, West Mansfield; Christopher Harshfield, Lakeland, Fla.; Shane Slone, Columbus; Bethany Slone, Columbus; Joshua Slone, Washington Court House, Bradley Harshfield, Valley Hi; D.J. Slone of Delaware.Their great-grandchildren are Ayden Ridge; Cheyanne, Cloe, Chelsea and Aurora Harshfield; Tyler, Benjamin, and Clovis Slone; Eleanor Slone; and Jack Clarke.
Don is survived by six brothers: Larry of Seattle, Wash.; Richard (Melinda) of West Mansfield; George and John Thomas (Barb) of Kenton; James of Marion; Patrick (Georgiana) of Lima. One brother, Michael, is deceased. Surviving sisters are Connie (Jerry) Abbott, Arcadia, Fla.; Libby Smith and Vicky Arnold, Bellefontaine.
Graduating in 1958 from Bokescreek High School, West Mansfield, Don honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963.
Don retired from Rockwell International, Kenton, and enjoyed many years of friendship and activity as a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge.
Don’s most memorable passion was antique tractor pulling. Through determination, he formed the National Antique Tractor Pullers Association (NATPA) in 1996 and was President of the Board for six years. During that time over 1,000 members from all over the United States and Canada had joined. He then lived his dream to build and pull an Economy Modified tractor, Raging Bull, in southern Ohio and Kentucky. The NATPA is still in existence.
In 2010, Don and Judy moved permanently from Bellefontaine, to Cross Creek RV Resort, Arcadia, Fla. Since then, Don became an avid golfer, twice achieving hole-in-ones’. He kayaked and played shuffleboard with his friends at Cross Creek. Don was also known as a skilled pool shooter and card player throughout his life.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted May 7, 2021, 4 to 8 p.m. at The Conservation Club in West Mansfield.