Donald E Washburn

Donald E. Washburn, 83, of Saint Marys, died January 7, 2026, at his residence

He was born January 10, 1942, in Lima, Ohio, the son of Harley and Violet (Wheeler) Washburn.

He married Helen Norris on November 23, 1963, in Mendon, Ohio, and she survives at their residence.

He is also survived by his children: Dawn (Brian) Steinke of Sidney, Ohio; Scott Washburn of Upton, Massachusetts; and Kathy (Steve) Hensley of Dickinson, North Dakota. He is survived by his six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and by a sister, Doris Freewalt of Mendon, Ohio. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings: Jim Washburn, Mary Houser and Shirley Clements.

Don attended School in Mendon, Ohio until the 7th grade when he went to work full-time on a nearby dairy farm. He later worked at Mersman Tables for 23 years and then drove truck for Rush Trucking, often working two jobs to support his family. He loved listening to bluegrass music, and he enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels around his home. For many years, he was an accomplished trap shooter and competed twice at the Grand American trapshooting championship in Vandalia, Ohio.  He was thrilled that his Winchester trap gun was passed to his Grandson Emmett. 

Funeral rites will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, Pastor Randy Christian, officiant. Burial will follow at Mendon Cemetery.

Friends may call from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services on Monday at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Don’s family via Millerfuneralhomes.net