Donald Ray Schmeltzer

Donald Ray, Age 88, resident of West Harrison, Indiana passed away on Friday, July 24, 2015. He was born on March 29, 1927 in York Township, Indiana to George & Mary Gladys (nee Morling). Don graduated in 1945 from Guilford High School, and recently attended his 70th high school class reunion. He served our country in the United States Navy from May 1945 - July 1946. In June of 1951, Don married Shirley Thomas and they had 3 children: John, Donna & Amy. Don worked for the Quaker Oats company in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for 10-12 years as a foreman. He later became a Mink farmer and retired after farming for 25+ years. Don had a love for gardening. He would raise watermelons in the summer, and pumpkins in the fall. He sold them to his friends, neighbors and even the local IGA foodliner. In his younger years, Don enjoyed fishing and would even take the family on yearly family vacations to a cabin (on a lake) in Wisconsin. Traveling, was a favorite past-time of Don's. He had been to every state in the United States, except North Dakota. He was a charter member of the Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church, where he has been active in service work and volunteering in various ministries. He has been on mission trips to Haiti and Kentucky, and volunteered in the North Dearborn Food pantry. Don was a genuine christian man, who loved the time he spent with his family.
Those surviving who will honor his memory are his loving wife: Shirley (nee Thomas); devoted children: John (Amy), Donna (Dan) Hornbach, & Amy (Tom) Myer; cherished grandchildren: Jason (Sally), Joe (Marsha), Mike (Ashleigh Grove) Schmeltzer, Amanda Hornbach, Nora & Caleb Myer; loving great grandchildren: Mia & Grayson Schmeltzer; and dear siblings: G. Dale & Loren Schmeltzer, Ruth Grubbs, Janet Ross, & Linda Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother: Ralph Schmeltzer.
Visitation will be Monday, July 27, 2015 from 5-8PM at the Brater-Winter Funeral Home, 201 S. Vine St., Harrison, OH. Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 10AM at Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Glen Haven Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to Margaret Mary Hospice or Dearborn Hills UMC through the funeral home.

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Visitation

JUL 27. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)

Brater-Winter Funeral Home - Harrison
201 S. Vine Street
Harrison, OH, 45030

Service

JUL 28. 10:00 AM (EDT)

Dearborn Hills UMC
25365 Stateline Road
Bright, OH, 47025

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