David Carl Fetchu

David Carl Fetchu, born January 19, 1942, passed away on September 29, 2026, after a yearlong illness with dementia. Even as his illness progressed, David remained remarkably optimistic. He faced life, as he always had, with quiet strength, determination, and a belief that there was always a way forward.

David was the son of a coal miner and grew up on North Hill in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from North High School and The University of Akron with a mechanical engineering degree in 1964, and he was always proud to be a U of A alumnus. He went on to spend his career with General Tire Rubber Company in Akron, working his way up to become Director of Engineering before retiring in 1995.

But David's greatest accomplishment was his family. He met Mary Ann on a beach in Florida during spring break, and what began as a chance meeting became 52 years of marriage. They married in 1966, moved to Tallmadge, Ohio, and built their life there. Mary Ann passed away in 2018, but the family they created remained the center of David's life.

David was the kind of person who could fix almost anything. He was a true do-it-yourselfer and never seemed to believe there was a project too big to tackle. He built much of his own home and barn and could solve nearly any problem that came his way. Cars were another passion. He restored several over the years and was especially fond of his 1958 Midget.

He also had a creative side. David enjoyed carving and painting ducks, growing grapes in his backyard, and making his own wine. He enjoyed spending time at his South Carolina condominium, which he had owned since 1988, and made regular visits to the Tallmadge Recreation Center.

David was a quiet and simple man. He never needed fancy things and was content to live well within his means. He was independent and, according to those who knew him best, stubborn—but that stubbornness was also part of the determination that carried him through life. He had a brilliant mind and an extraordinary ability to figure things out. If David didn't know how to do something, he usually found a way to learn.

He was also a proud family sports fan. David loved watching his daughters compete throughout high school and college and later enjoyed watching and hearing about his grandchildren at their high school and college competitions. To his grandchildren, he was lovingly known as “Popo,” and their accomplishments were a source of great pride and happiness for him.

David was a lifelong Catholic and regularly attended Mass at St. Hedwig Church as a child and adult, continuing to attend Saturday Mass until the church closed in 2009. He later became a member of Our Lady of Victory Church in Tallmadge, where he continued his Catholic faith and tradition.

David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ann; his sister, Eleanor Walter; and his brother, Buddy Fetchu.

He is survived by his three daughters, Mary Fetchu (Zelch), Beth (Matt) Wyszynski, and Sara (Robert) Wyszynski; and his six grandchildren, Zoe and Chloe Zelch, Ada and Ethan Wyszynski, and Grace and Luke Wyszynski.

David didn't live a flashy life, nor did he want to. He found happiness in his family, his faith, his work, his projects, his cars, his hobbies, and the places he loved. He was a man who knew how to make things, fix things, figure things out, and keep going. Most of all, he was a man who loved his family deeply and took great pride in watching them grow. His quiet presence will be missed, but the things he built, the lessons he taught, and the memories he left behind will remain with his family for generations to come.

Calling hours will be Monday, October 5 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at the Donovan Funeral Home in Tallmadge. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle)

The Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave, Tallmadge with Rev. Michael Williamson officiating.