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Donald Wilson, age 73, of Maronee Street, Clarion, passed away on February 10, 2012, from cancer.

Born in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 8, 1938, he was the son of Maurice C. Wilson and M. Laurena White Wilson.

He married the former Kathy Exton on June 20, 1981, who survives.

He was raised and schooled in Niagara Falls and in Northern Ontario. He graduated from LaSalle High School in Niagara Falls in 1954.

He served a three year enlistment in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1956-1959.

He received a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University in 1962, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American Literature from State U. of New York-Buffalo in 1968 and 1970, respectively.

He taught junior/senior high school in Niagara Falls, NY and junior college in Paul Smiths, NY. In 1969 he joined the English department of Clarion State College as an associate professor. He served the department for thirty-three years, teaching composition and basic literature courses; co-developing and teaching American Literature courses; developing and teaching creative writing courses; developing and teaching courses in Canadian poetry and literature. He served as department chair for his last four years. He served on a number of department and university-wide committees and was an active member of several professional organizations during his tenure.

In retirement and before that he enjoyed playing racquetball, occasional golfing, reading for business and for leisure, and the company of friends and family. He and his wife Kathy enjoyed traveling to visit family and to explore new places.

In addition to his wife, Kathy, of 30 years, he is survived by his daughter Elaine (John) Wooliscroft of Pittsburgh, daughter Laura Wilson of Salt Lake City, UT, daughter Kathryn Djouallah of Los Angeles, CA, and son Mark Wilson of Petersburg, PA. He is also survived by his grandson, Tabor Harvey of Salt Lake City, UT, a brother, Thomas Wilson, of Pittsboro, NC, several nephews and a niece, brother-in-law Harry Exton of Clarion, PA, and good friend Ron Davis of Bay Village, OH.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Don’s name to one’s own favorite charity.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012, at the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street, Clarion, PA. A service to celebrate Don’s life will be held at a later date.

Friends and family may leave online condolences by visiting the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory website at www.goblefh.net.