Donald James Nakles (67), of Avon Lake, Ohio, passed away on January 27, 2025. Loving husband of 43 years to Sally (Gerken) Nakles; son of the late Edward and Alice (Joseph) Nakles; loving father of Alice (Mark) Emmerso, Margaret (Luke) Heberle and Nate Nakles; cherished grandfather of Francesca Emmerso and Nora Heberle. Brother of John Nakles and the late Bob Nakles and Shirley Bryner. Uncle to many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Don was born on September 19, 1957 in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. After Don graduated from Blairsville High School in 1975, he went to Nyack College and then graduated from Duquesne University. After graduation, he started his career in journalism in New Castle, PA. He then graduated from University of Pittsburgh with an MBA and ended his career after being with DFAS for 14 years as a CPA.
Pittsburgh sports were Don’s favorite. He followed all the personalities, statistics and records with joy (if it was a good year). But his priorities were the Lord and his family. He loved Psalm 139 and the Proverbs. He prided himself on making sure his family was always taken care of. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather. He worked hard until the very end.
There will be a service at Christ the King Vineyard Church located at 30635 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted, OH on Friday, January 31st at 11am. Visitation and Interment will follow in Blairsville, PA at Shoemaker Funeral Home located at 49 N Walnut St., Blairsville, PA starting at 11am on Saturday, February 1st with burial following at 1pm at Blairsville Cemetery. Lunch will be provided at Chestnut Ridge Resort and Conference Center at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Samaritan’s Purse for Western Carolina hurricane victims.
