Notizen zu dieser Person
Judge W. Don Reader: 1927-2016
age 88, died Friday, February 5, 2016. Born on July 5, 1927 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania he had lived in North Canton since 1953. He was a graduate of New Brighton High School, Dickinson College and the University of Akron School of Law. Judge Reader served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II and also in the United States Navy Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Judge Reader at one time was a Social Science teacher and was an industrial oil salesman. He was the Chief Counsel for Stark County Legal Aid Society then later became an Assistant Prosecutor. Judge Reader previously served eight years as Senior Referee in the Juvenile Division and 22 years as a Family Court Judge. During that period of time, he received many awards of merit from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Ohio Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Supreme Court of Ohio, various educational associations and was honored as the Public Official the Year by the National Association of Social Workers. In 1996 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Chapter of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. In 1992 Judge Reader was elected to the State of Ohio, Court of Appeals, Fifth District. Judge reader was awarded the Lifetime Child Advocacy Award in 1998 by the Victims' Rights Coalition for his dedication to children's rights. Judge Reader was President of the Ohio Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in 1980. Under his leadership, the Juvenile Justice statutes were rewritten, resulting in what is now called the Ohio Plan. These substantive and procedural changes have been hailed as a benchmark in juvenile justice in the nation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Policy Advisory Group to the Department of Youth Services. The recommendations of this group have received statewide recognition as to the incarnation of youth in Ohio. Judge reader has testified not only before the Ohio General Assembly, but also the Congress of United States, representing the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court judges. In 1989, Judge Reader was elected president of this organization, which has the largest judicial membership in the world. Judge reader appeared on a panel with Prof. Arthur Miller, Harvard University, on “Good Morning America” in the latter part of 1992. Further, he has testified before the Judiciary Committee of the state legislatures of New Jersey and Nevada. He is given technical assistance to the Governor's Task Force of the States of Oregon, Montana and Florida. In addition, Judge Reader has appeared as a lecture and panel member at national symposiums relative to family law, alcohol and substance abuse, and sexual abuse and victimization of children. He has further served as a adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Reno on issues of family in juvenile law. Judge Reader has lectured at various colleges in the field of family law and is in demand as a speaker on this issue. Most recently he had been active as a board member and past chairman of the Education Enhancement Partnership of Stark County and board member of the Stark County Public Defender. Virtually his entire legal career has been spent in the field of family law and services to the youth of this nation. The family would like to thank Doctor James Johns and the staffs at Mercy Medical Center and the Laurels of Massillon for their compassionate care.
He is preceded in death by his wives, Elda M Reader and Claire Bowers Reader, parents, Willard Donald and Melva M. Reader and a sister, Mary Lou Strayer. Survived by a daughter. Megan Reader, son, Robin T. Reader, grandson, Alex T. Reader, niece, Merran Metz, step-daughters, Claudia Powell and Amy Zeglen and five step-grandchildren. Services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon with Pastor Larry Lalama officiating. Entombment will be in the North lawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Lamiell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital. Condolences may be made to: www.lamiellfuneralhome.com
(Lamiell, 330-456-7375)
Published in The Repository on Feb. 8, 2016
Lincoln
Lowery
