David Behner

Dr. David Behner EdD

OCTOBER 25, 1944 ~ FEBRUARY 23, 2019

Age 74, of Canton, passed away Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 while visiting in New Hampshire.  He was born Oct. 25, 1944 in Warren, OH, son of the late Chester and Eleanor (Hall) Behner who raised him on a small family dairy farm in Lordstown Ohio and moved to Canton in 1969.  David was a 1962 graduate of Lordstown High School, a 1966 graduate of Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, received a Masters Degree in Administration and Curriculum from Akron University and an EdD from Akron University.  David was awarded a National Science Foundation Grant to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden Colorado during the Summer of 1969. David began his teaching and coaching career at Lakeview High School in Cortland, OH teaching science and coaching basketball and cross country. An accolade was leading the 1967 and 1968 Teams to win the State Cross Country Championship. In 1969 David received an opportunity at "old" McKinley High School to teach science and coach basketball under Bob Rupert, where he also coached cross country and track. David's next path led him to administration at Crenshaw Jr High, Timken High, Principal at "new" McKinley High and then to the Canton City Schools Central Office, retiring in 2000 as Assistant Superintendent. As a coach, teacher and school administrator, David inspired numerous generations in and out of the classroom. After retiring he was a consultant for the Stark County Education Office, Canal Fulton Schools and Strasburg Schools. David served as Assistant Director and Director for a combined 40 years of Boys Division I and II Basketball Sectional, District and Regional Tournaments in Canton, Ohio for the Ohio High School Athletic Association. He served on the Committee for Boy Scout Troop #4 at Trinity United Church of Christ and was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church. Later in life, David turned his passion into restoring his original 1970 Stingray Corvette and enjoyed attending numerous car shows, including a return to the General Motors Lordstown plant for the 50th anniversary where he worked for a Summer. David enjoyed traveling and creating special family memories with his High School sweetheart and wife, Julie M. Behner, with whom he celebrated their 49th Wedding Anniversary on July 5th. David is survived by a daughter and son, Anne (Shelby) Coke, and Scott Behner, two grandchildren, Louisa and Chester Behner, one sister, Maranel Tallman, two brothers, Donald (Linda) Behner, and Curtis (Dian) Behner, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held Sat., Apr. 27th, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., St. Peter of The Fields Catholic Church, 3487 Old Forge Rd., Rootstown, OH 44272, with Deacon Theodore Suzelis officiating. David's family will receive friends at a luncheon in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge —Cleveland, OH https://donate.cancer.org/index?campaign=HopeLodgeCleveland   The Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home is in charge of the service. Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com
Gordon (330) 456-4766

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