Donald R. Bigler

Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.

After 85 years on this earth, on Saturday, November, 30th, 2019, heaven gained another angel, Donald R. Bigler.

Don was born in Allegheny County Pennsylvania on April 14, 1934 to Raymond and Romilda Ruby Bigler. He was one of six children. Don attended Mars High School from 1949-1953. Then served his country as a U.S. Marine from 1953-1956. Don was a decorated drill sergeant during the Korean War. He met June (nee McDanel) Bigler while in the Marines. They were married on October 25th, 1957. After his service to our country, he attended Geneva College and Penn State on the G.I. Bill. Don graduated with an Agricultural Education degree. He later received a M.S. from Westminster College in Education. Don also had a certificate of Principle ship and Guidance Counselor.

Don taught Agriculture-Horticulture at Darlington, PA from 1960-1966. He left Darlington in 1966 to teach Horticulture at RoseTree Media High School from 1966-1969. In 1969, until his retirement, Don taught horticulture at Delaware County Vocational Technical High School. After a sabbatical in 1991, Don was a guidance counselor until his retirement in 1992.

Outside of the classroom, Don was a sponsor of Future Farmers of America club. He trained square dance teams. Don and June competed in square dance tournaments at the Pennsylvania Farm Show as well as a coach of a demonstration team. Don strongly believed in giving back to his community. He chaperoned students on educational trips to Japan and Spain. Don coached his son’s Little League football and baseball team. He was an active member of the West Chester United Methodist Church where he was a Junior High Youth Counselor, and usher, greeter, served on many church boards, including 30 years as a chairman of the Board of Trustees, leader of the Junior High Fellowship, and a member of the Methodist Men group. Don was an honorary member of the United Methodist Women’s Society!

Don was an active member of the West Goshen Lions Club from 1971 to the present. He served in many offices in this club as well as the district level. He served as a District Governor of the Lions Clubs of Berks and Chester Counties from 1995-1996. Don attended Lions district, state and international conventions. He and June chaperoned ten students (children of Lions members), to Nishio, Japan for a 28 day youth exchange visit in 1994. In addition to his many outreach activities, Don also cooked breakfasts for the West Chester Senior Center.

Don and his wife June enjoyed traveling. Their travels took them to Korea, Japan, Ireland, Hawaii, Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and several European countries. Don did not enjoy being idle. He enjoyed cooking, carving, painting, square dancing, golfing with friends, and tinkering with his extensive collection of model trains.

Don dearly loved his family. He is survived by his brother George, daughter Bonnie, her husband Bob and their children Jennifer and son Corvo. Also surviving Don are his son Jay, his wife Heather and their two children Sierrarose and Jason. He has many nieces and nephews too.

Don Bigler will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He was a generous, kind man who greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word.

Arrangements are being handled by Dellavechia, Reilly, Smith and Boyd Funeral Home located at 410 Church Street, West Chester, PA. A celebration of life memorial will be held at the West Chester United Methodist Church,129 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to West Chester United Methodist Church, 129 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382.