Beloved Wayland Dion Faulkner, affectionately known as 'Donnie' peacefully departed this life on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at his home, in Canton, Ohio. He was loved and cared for by his family members when he slipped away to his eternal home. Donnie was born November 2, 1965, in Canton, Ohio to the late Henry Lee Faulkner and Rosaline Yvonne Faulkner.

Donnie received his education in the Canton Public School System. He is a graduate of Timken Sr. High School. Donnie had a love for learning and did much in the way of educating himself to keep his skills sharp. Donnie was employed at Rite Aid and Gattuso's Music & More.

Donnie is a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving as a Combat Engineer, receiving an honorable discharge in 1992. Donnie served in the Charlie Company, 7th Engineering Battalion, 5th Infantry Division of the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) which is the largest United States Army command and provider of expeditionary, regionally engaged, campaign-capable land forces to combatant commanders. Donnie's ribbons and accommodations include the Army Lapel Button, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars. He served during the Gulf War, Desert Storm.

Born into a family of believers, and gifted musicians, Donnie was a member of the New Life Christian Ministries, under the leadership of the late George Dunwoody and the current pastor, Lady Robin Dunwoody. Donnie was most known for his impeccable skills of "playing the skins off a set of drums". As one who played by ear and not formally trained, he played with an "ear of the learned" truly under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He often played for The Singing Wonders. This beloved brother was a born-again believer.

Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Henry L. Faulkner and mother, Rosaline Y. Faulkner, and a host of aunts and uncles. Donnie has one surviving aunt, Carlotta Rodgers of Akron, Ohio and two sisters, Cheryl Hall of Canton, Ohio, and Sharonda Armour (Michael) of Akron, Ohio, and his step-mother Sharon Faulkner of Massillon, Ohio. Donnie leaves cherished, loving memories to his four children, Martell Faulkner, Aleesha Manghese, Jerrick Townes and Nyla Faulkner, all of Canton, Ohio. Donnie also leaves to his remembrance four grandchildren, Arianna, Akeelah, Alontaye, Alijah; four nieces, Shanuna Faulkner, Shantel Faulkner, Camille Faulkner, Candice Fox; two nephews, Shaquille Faulkner (Patrice), and Dominic Floyd; a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and other relatives who loved him.