Walter “Boots” Dunn, 85, of Cochranton, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on February 3, 2016.

He was born April 23, 1930, a son to the late Wilbur “Cubby” Dunn and Iris (Kline) Dunn. He graduated from Cochranton High School in 1948. He attended Westminster College but came back home to help run the family businesses, most notably W.L. Dunn Construction Company. He married Donna Lee English on January 20, 1951. She died on July 31, 2005.

As noted above, Boots and his brother Jerry operated W.L. Dunn Construction Company for over 65 years and provided employment opportunities to many local residents during this time. Whether it was just a summer job or a stepping stone to another career opportunity, many former employees would come back years later and thank him for the jobs and education that had been provided. Boots also owned and operated Dunn Stable, a standardbred horse stable, along with his daughters and grandchildren. He loved all animals but the horses were his true passion. Over the years, Boots was a national driving champion five times in the harness racing industry.

He was a member of the Crawford County Fair Board since 1975 and most recently served as its President until his declining health made it necessary to step down from that post. Boots was a member of the Cochranton Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chief from 1962 to 1970. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association where he served as a Director since 1987. Boots was honored over the years with many awards, among his favorites were his elections to the Crawford County 4-H Horse and Pony Hall of Fame and the Meadville Area Sports Committee Hall of Fame. Even as recent as last month, he was honored by his fellow PA horsemen by having a new award created in his honor. They named the Walter “Boots” Dunn Rising Star Award which will be awarded annually to an up and coming young horseman on the PA fairs racing circuit.

He was a member of the Cochranton United Methodist Church and in recent years also attended St. Mark’s Church in Cochranton and the Sugar Lake United Methodist Church.

Boots is survived by four daughters, Debra (Ike) Sheatz of Cochranton, Kathy (Leo) Harvey of Imperial, PA, Lisa Dunn, of Cochranton and Leslie (William) Zendt of Houston, PA; seven grandchildren, Cortney, Wade and Alex Sheatz, Shawn and Ryan Harvey, and Garrett and Wyatt Adams; one great-granddaughter, Sasha Sheatz; two brothers, George “Jerry” Dunn and David Dunn; many nieces and nephews, a good friend Doris Harvey and his faithful dog, Bear.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, a daughter, Dinah Dunn Ross and an
infant daughter.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hospice of Crawford County for the wonderful care that they have provided to Boots over the past months. Tena Walker was supportive and caring at least five days a week; and so many of the hospice nurses provided compassionate and dignified care, especially Julie, Janell, Rick and Tom.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Dickson Family Funeral Home, Inc. in Cochranton.

Viewing hours will be held on Friday and Saturday from 2pm – 7pm each day.

The funeral service will be held at the Cochranton United Methodist Church on Sunday at 3pm with Rev. Greg Spencer and Rev. Russell Hines officiating.

Interment will be in the Cochranton Cemetery.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, a program that was created to care for, rehabilitate and secure lifetime adoptions for retired and non-competitive racehorses.

Their address is 353 Sweetmans Lane, Suite 101, Millstone, NJ 08535 or donations can be made via their website at www.adoptahorse.org.