Donald J. Rothgery

Donald J. Rothgery, 87, of Elyria passed away Saturday March 7, 2026 at O’Neill Healthcare in Bay Village. He was born January 15, 1939 in Elyria where he resided his entire life. Don graduated from Elyria Catholic High School in 1956 where he played football, was Class President and sang in the A Cappella Choir. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the carrier USS Intrepid CVA-11. After returning from the Navy, he began a career in sales at Abex Corp., Electro-Alloys and Engineered Products Divisions in Elyria. He then started a career in Real Estate in the 1970s where he was President of Lorain County Realty Co. and President of the Lorain County Board of Realtors. He held the offices of Lorain County Clerk of Court of Common Pleas and Clerk of Elyria Municipal Court, where he retired in 2005. During his lifetime, he also served in the City of Elyria as Clerk of Council, Councilman-at-Large, and as City Deputy Auditor. He enjoyed hobbies of woodworking and golf, but only admitted to being good at one of them. Don loved traveling with his family, telling sea stories, and could fix just about anything. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church and numerous service organizations, including the Jaycees. Survivors include his loving wife and best friend of sixty-five years; Marcella M. (Marcia) (nee: Smith), his children; David M. (Sandy) of Elyria, Donald T. (Catherine) of Elyria, Brian J. (Gina) of Elyria, and Renee C. Barrett (Richard) of Avon. Additional survivors include twelve grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and a sister; Mary Andrewski (Bob) of Elyria. They, along with his nieces and nephews, were all close to his heart. Don was preceded in death by his parents; Sylvester C. Rothgery and Leona (nee: Laubenthal) Rothgery-Rogers, a brother; Kenneth P. Rothgery, and three sisters; Alice (Leo) Bott-Weber, Laurette (Ollie) Murray, Joan (Cecil) Reaser. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at The Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria (440) 322-4626. Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:30 PM Thursday March 12, 2026 at St. Jude Church 590 Poplar St. Elyria, OH 44035 (Please meet at church). The Reverend Father Jose Fifin CSJ, Pastor will be the Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Elyria where the U.S. Navy and Elyria V.F.W. Post 1079 will provide full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions in Don’s memory be sent to St. Jude Church.

Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com