Our dear father, Donald R. Giffin passed away Monday October 21, 2019 at Valley Hospice (Trinity West) in Steubenville, Ohio. My brother Jamie (Lora) Giffin of Urbana, Ohio and I, Renee (Kevin) Dorsey of Shadyside, Ohio are heartbroken.

Our dad was diagnosed in May with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, already in his liver and spleen. I chose to become his live in caretaker this past Spring, and I was blessed to have spent so much time with him these last 5 months. I have a new appreciation for how difficult it is for families in this situation, especially if there is no one to step in as I was fortunately able to do.

Dad was born September 29, 1943 at home in Unionport, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leona Giffin, an older sister, Janet Giffin, and our mother, Susan Giffin. Remaining are his sisters Linda (Richard) Brownlee, Carolyn (David) Taylor and a brother, Gerald "Joe" (Susan) Giffin. He will be missed by his nieces, Becky and Autumn, favorite nephew Brian, and three grandsons: Caleb Walters, Lantz Close and Andrew Dorsey. His best friend of 70 years, Don (Mary Sue) Whipkey of Jewett, Ohio will certainly miss his fishing buddy. Dad's beloved Australian Shepherd Zoe will remain with me.

Our dad retired from Weirton Steel after 33 years. His favorite things were fishing, hunting and trapping, gardening and in later years, woodworking and more fishing. He was gifted and could make the most beautiful things from wood; many are keepsakes treasured by both family and friends. He was a life member of the NRA, we all shared a love of the outdoors, firearms and the US Constitution. We attended the Christian Church of Unionport, where my parents were baptised several years ago. He was a believer in Jesus Christ as his Savior and to us, he was the epitome of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. He was patient, kind, never boastful and frankly, we cannot think of anyone who ever said or thought anything bad about him. He was truly a wonderful man, and we will miss him so much.

Friends may call at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Road, Wintersville, Ohio on Thursday 5-7 p.m. where services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday with Rev. Jeremy Kuttler officiating. Burial at Unionport Cemetery.

The family (and Dad) would like to thank WVU Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, WV for being as he said, "The best hospital I have ever been in", particularly the ER doctors and the nurses on 2 North. He absolutely loved those ladies, and they treated him as if he were their own family member. We also appreciate the care that Valley Hospice provided over the last 3 weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in our dad's name to the Unionport Fire Department or the Christian Church of Unionport, or the Unionport Methodist Church. All of them have helped us this past year, in more ways than we can ever repay.