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WWII vet, business owner celebrates 100th birthday

Don Gorrell was raised on a farm in Pioneer, OH, and graduated from Kunkle High School in 1942.

TOLEDO, Ohio — A local World War Two veteran celebrated his 100th birthday this Memorial Day weekend with his family and friends in Toledo. 

Don Gorrell was born on May 19th, 1924, and was raised on a farm in the small town of Pioneer, Ohio in Williams County and graduated from Kunkle High School in 1942.

Credit: Courtesy: North Central Local Schools
Donald Gorrell's 1942 senior picture from Kunkle High School.

Gorrell served in the army during World War as a member of the military police.

He met and married his wife Barb in 1952.

In 1957, the couple moved to Toledo where they had 3 sons.

Barb passed away in 2018.

Although Gorrell had originally wanted to join the Secret Service, FBI, or highway patrol, issues with his hearing prevented that from happening.

Instead, Gorrell became a businessman, owning Stoll Rug and Furniture Cleaners on Lewis Avenue for 42 years.

Gorrell shared some excellent advice for younger generations.

"You can do almost anything if you want to. You have to want to, and don't listen to the naysayers,” said Gorrell.

Gorrell still enjoys getting out as much as he can and enjoys going to breakfast and lunch with his family.

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