Donald Edward Mossbarger, DVM, 92, of Bloomingburg, Ohio, died peacefully at his home on Jan. 1, 2015.
Dr. Mossbarger was born March 28, 1922, in Ross County, Ohio, to John S. and Frances Scott Mossbarger. He was a 1940 graduate of Clarksburg High School. He received a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1945 and shortly thereafter began his large animal veterinary practice and founded Midland Acres, a Standardbred horse farm in Bloomingburg.
Dr. Mossbarger was very involved in many professional, civic and personal organizations. In his profession he was president of the Fayette County Hereford Association in 1967, and also served as president of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association.
His civic involvement included president of the Fayette County Board of Health and president of the Bloomingburg Lions Club.
At home, Midland Acres kept active in many equine organizations such as the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, of which he was a former board member; president of the PACER organization and president of the Ohio Standardbred Breeders Association. The United States Trotting Association credits Dr. Mossbarger and Midland Acres as breeding more than 1,584 Standardbred horses.
In all his involvement, he was well recognized by his peers. In 1969, he was awarded The Ohio State University's Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his eminence as a "veterinarian who has achieved a record of outstanding contributions in the advancement of veterinary medicine.”
In 1981, he was awarded the USHWA Achievement Award in appreciation for his major contributions to harness racing and in 2000, was inducted into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Little Brown Jug Society and in 2014, was selected as the 30th Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame Honoree by the Delaware County Fair.
He was honoured in 2001 by being selected as the Grand Marshall of the annual Christmas Parade in Washington Court House.
Dr. Mossbarger was also a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and Bloomingburg Lodge F. & A.M. #449.
On Sept. 8, 1945, he married Dorothy Ann Mossbarger. She preceded him in death on Jan. 6, 2013.
He is survived by five children, JoAnn Sedgwick (friend Terry Cross), Dr. John (Kyle), Jeannie (Steve) Bihl, Jay (Brenda) and Jan (Glen) Cobb; 11 grandchildren, Jodi (Matt) Chandler, Jamie (Kyle) Butts, Jill (Chris) Cottrill, Jason (Mary) Bihl, Jon (Nicole) Bihl, Jennifer (Sam) Cathey, Justin Bihl, Jake, Jackie Cobb, Jenna Cobb and Josie Cobb; 13 great grandchildren; and a faithful friend, Beau.
The funeral will be Monday (Jan. 5) at 11 a.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Washington Court House with the Rev. Mick Whistler, pastor at the church, and Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation, officiating. Burial will follow in the Bloomingburg Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Sunday (Jan. 4) from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 301 E. Market Street, Washington Court House, OH 43160, or PACER, 850 Michigan Ave., Columbus, OH 43215.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Donald Mossbarger.
(with files from the USTA)