Donald “Don” Wohlever, a U.S. Air Force veteran, longtime Playtex employee, and dedicated volunteer in the Milford community, died peacefully at the Delaware Hospice Center surrounded by his family.
Born July 13, 1945, in Lakewood, Ohio, Don was the son of Joseph and Esther Wohlever. He spent much of his childhood growing up on a farm before graduating from Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio.
Following graduation, Wohlever enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War era. He served as a flying crew chief aboard the C-133 cargo aircraft, a role he often described with great pride throughout his life. After returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Dover Air Force Base, where he met his future wife, Joan. The couple shared 54 years of marriage and raised four children.
In 1972, Wohlever began his career with International Playtex Corporation, where he worked until retiring in 2004. He later returned as a consultant before joining Walmart, where he assembled bicycles and became well known for chatting with customers throughout the store.
A devoted member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Milford, Wohlever served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister. He was also active in youth sports, volunteering as a coach for the Milford Little League Tigers Major League team.
Later in life, he combined his love of aviation and military history by volunteering at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover. There, he enjoyed sharing stories of his Air Force service and educating visitors about the museum’s aircraft, especially the C-133 that had played such an important role in his military career.
Don and Joan later relocated to Florida before returning to Delaware several years later because of health concerns.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Esther Wohlever; brothers Lawrence and Alan; and daughter Melody.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters Lori (Pete) and Rebecca; son Don (Jennifer); brother Raymond (Shar); sister Janet (Larry); brothers-in-law Rick and Ronald Johnson; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, July 1, beginning at noon at Berry-Short Funeral Homes, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford. A prayer service, officiated by Deacon Nick Vasquez, will begin at 1 p.m., followed by burial with U.S. Air Force military honors at 2 p.m. in Milford Community Cemetery.
