Donald Ralph Gilder, 73, of Duluth, Georgia, died on December 1, 2007 at the Gwinnet Medical Center in Duluth, following a short illness. Mr. Gilder was a long time resident of North Ridgeville, moving to Farmington Hills, Michigan in 1969, then to Middletown, Ohio in 1972. He had resided in Duluth since 1980. He retired in 1992 as a Regional Service Engineer for General Motors where he had worked for 29 years. He then continued to operate Gilder Consulting for several years. He was a former member of the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ, North Ridgeville. Mr. Gilder enjoyed restoring antique cars and trucks and was active at the YMCA in Norcross, GA.
He is survived by his daughters, Beth Goldsmith, of Norcross, GA and Joy Garcia, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; sons, Kent Gilder, of Duluth, GA, Clark Gilder, of Alpharetta, GA; eleven grandchildren; brothers, Robert Gilder, of North Ridgeville and Alan Gilder, of Elyria and sister, Lynne Dreger, of North Ridgeville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn (nee Benner) Gilder; and son, Chad Gilder.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 P.M. Friday, January 25, 2008 at the David Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Rd, North Ridgeville. A Memorial Service will be held 11 A.M. Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ, 36363 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville. Rev. John Fairweather, Pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridgeville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Robert D. Fowler YMCA in memory of Donald R. Gilder, 5600 West Jones Bridge Rd, Norcross, GA 30092. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.davidbognerfamilyfuneralhome.com

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