Donna Rae Gast Fulton was born on May 3, 1935 to Beulah (McLain) Gast and Arnold Gast in Ripley, Ohio. She passed away at the Hospice of Hope in Maysville, Kentucky on January 26, 2023.
Throughout Donna’s childhood, she lived in both Georgetown and Ripley but her entire adult life was spent as a resident of the Ripley Community, quietly touching many lives and never looking for recognition or status for her contributions. Instead, she unobtrusively did what she believed to be right and make others happy. It was this discreet giving of herself that made Donna Fulton the benevolent individual that she was.
Donna married the love of her life, Dwight Fulton, on May 19, 1956. They would have 61 years together before Dwight gained his heavenly wings. She never was truly whole after Dwight’s passing and those who love her are rejoicing that they are together again. They were the most wonderful parents and provided a golden childhood for their children, Perianne, Dwight Kevin, and Chandra Lyn.
Donna began her teaching career in the 1960’s at Ripley Elementary School and shortly afterward moved to Higginsport Elementary School where she would remain until the closing of that building in 1987. Throughout those decades spent being a teacher and principal at Higginsport School, Donna was many things to many people. She had very high standards and exacted effort from all students. In her eyes, every student had the potential to learn and she would spend countless hours looking for instructional methods to help all students reach the best of their ability. She also recognized the poverty standards that many of her students lived with and fed, clothed, and monetarily assisted many, many children during those years, even though she had three children of her own to take care of and limited resources. Donna always believed that whatever she was fortunate enough to have could be shared with those of less fortune.
Following the closing of Higginsport School, Donna continued to serve the children of our community through her work at Ripley Elementary as a teacher and when the closed Aberdeen Elementary School became part of the Ripley system, she moved to that building to reestablish educational efforts as principal. When the decision was made to close Aberdeen School, Donna was made principal at Ripley Elementary, where she would spend the remainder of her full time career. She continued giving the best of herself to her students and, upon her retirement in 1997, decided to return part time in order to keep the school library open, a position she enjoyed for five years. Donna was the only administrator in the R-U-L-H Schools’ history to serve as principal in all three towns of the district.
Donna was always active in community events through the school. She spent countless hours volunteering and giving her time for school and charitable events. She was president of the Ripley Pee Wee Association for several years and gave every Saturday from morning to evening so that the youth of our community could learn sportsmanship and teamwork. When the idea of building a fundraising group to help the community’s young people was brainstormed, Donna jumped on board and became one of the instrumental founders of possibly the most influential group ever in our town, The Citizens Concerned for Youth.
Donna continued to demonstrate her love of learning and her unwavering belief in the importance of education by being a substitute teacher and volunteer at R-U-L-H Schools until, at the age of 81, she made the very tough decision to totally retire and spend her time with her family. She continued to contribute to every cause she saw, buy every product students sold for fundraising purposes, give money to those who are less fortunate, and serve her community and her God with an unbending and steadfast grace. Her kindness, generous spirit, and extreme love for her family, community and its children are the legacy she leaves behind.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dwight, parents Beulah Gast and Arnold Gast, and two brothers, Jerry Gast and Richard Gast. She is survived by her children, Perianne (Bob) Germann; Dwight Kevin (Lisa) Fulton; and Chandra Lyn (Eddie Scott) Berry. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Kristin Ann Germann; Robert Jansen (Andrea Adams); Derek Dwight (Eryka) Germann; Skylar Brynn Fulton; Camryn Jada Fulton; and Luke Dayne Berry; and three great-grandchildren, Annelise Raelin and Alexandra Grace Depenbrock; and Harrison Dwight Germann. She also leaves behind one sister, Rhonda Moran, and one brother, Gene (Kathy) Gast, and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was very much loved by all and will be missed each and every day.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Cahall Funeral Home in Ripley, Ohio. Rev. Greg Inboden will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the funeral home. Interment will follow the funeral service in Maplewood Cemetery in Ripley.
The family asks that those who would like to give memorials in Donna’s name to send them to Ripley Elementary School or the Ripley Fire Department.
Condolence may be sent to the family at www.cahallfuneralhomes.com