Donald Beaver Stroh

Donald Beaver Stroh, 78, of St. Marys, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024. He was born in the “Darke” on February 26, 1946, in Greenville, Ohio, later moving to St. Marys, Ohio at the age of 13 with his parents Richard and Esther (Kleinhenz) Stroh, where he would spend most of his life.  

He was a graduate of Memorial High School’s class of 1965; he went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  After returning, he spent time working at GE in Fort Wayne, Superior Metal in Lima, and Crown until he began working for Parker Hannifin in 1977.  He spent 35 years as a maintenance electrician at Parker Hannifin, where he often described his daily work as "beating the pavement" and "fighting the war on poverty.” He retired in 2012 to spend less time working and more time doing what he wanted. 

On most days you could find him holding court at his kitchen table, watching tv and the lake and keeping a wary eye out for his daughter, Katy, who at times would show up looking to borrow $20.  He was a gifted photographer, regularly enjoyed cruising through town or in the country, and developed a passion for gemstones and geodes.  Over the years he had numerous photos entered into contests, several of which won awards.  He also amassed a significant collection of geodes and gemstones, which he proudly displayed around his home as if it was an extension of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Don was a complicated man who lived a private life.  He was obstinate, easily aggravated, hard to please, finicky and unaccommodating.  Yet, for those that really got to know him, they got to know his one-of-a-kind personality.  For those lucky few, he could be charming, quick witted and funny.  He had space for people from all walks of life, everyone was welcome at his table.

Don is survived by his long time partner Tamme Posada; his first wife Peggy (Scott) Rabatin and two of their three children; Luke (Jessica) Stroh, Nathan (Stephanie) Stroh; son-in-law Jason (Katy) Perez; brothers William (Eileen) Beaver, John Beaver, Mary (Bruce) Koogler, Kay Rackley Morgan; grandchildren Seth (Jeannie) Stroh, Kylie Stroh, Dylan Hale, Ian Hale, Ava Stroh, Olivia Stroh, Ella Stroh, Wyatt Stroh and Marley Perez;  and great-grandchildren Joyce Stults and Harper Stroh.

Don was preceded in death by his daughter Katy (Stroh) Perez; parents, Richard and Esther Stroh; brother, Jerry May; and sister Betty Sanderson.

Services will be Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with calling one hour before at Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home.  Calling will be Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 5:00 p.m, until 8:00 p.m., at Miller-Long & Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, St. Marys, OH.

Graveside service will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in St. Marys.