Donald H Johnson

Donald H. “Donny” Johnson, 70, an avid Quaker and Buckeyes fan, loving family man, and servant of God, went home to be with his Lord, Friday night, October 17, 2014 at the Cleveland Clinic following a brief illness.

Born June 24, 1944 he was the son of the late Harold H. and Mary N. (Schwartz) Johnson. “Where were you in ‘62” when Donny graduated from New Philadelphia High School? He was in New Philadelphia courting his high school choir flame, the former Judith A. “Judy” Massarelli, whom he would later marry on July 17, 1965.

After graduation, Donny left the New Philadelphia community briefly to attend barber school at Andrew Columbus Barber School, bringing his talents back to the area where he worked at local barbershops, prior to beginning his 31 year career with UPS. In 1969, Donny began working at UPS, ultimately retiring in 2000.

Donny had Quaker blood, serving in a variety of capacities for New Philadelphia Schools. He loved to support the Quaker Foundation and Quaker Club whether it was raising funds for the groups, or enjoying the social aspects of them. Donny will long be remembered as the announcer for Quaker basketball, where he was behind the microphone for 25 years.

Most importantly, Donny lived out his faith which was recently nurtured at Dover Foursquare Church. There, he served in a variety of capacities, but especially loved leading the crafts for the children of the church.

Donny will be deeply missed by his wife, Judy; his children, David Johnson of Columbus, Matt Johnson of Hilliard, Susan (Kerry) Riesen of New Philadelphia, and Brian (Corrie) Johnson from across the river; his grandchildren, Brittany, Madelynn, Tyler, and Ethan Johnson, Gabby, Ava, and Nick Riesen, and Luci and Rocco Johnson; his siblings, Dick (Janet) Johnson and Norma (John) Browning, both of New Philadelphia, and Dwight Johnson of Xenia; his sister-in-law, Donna Johnson of Columbus; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Donny was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Johnson.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Tuesday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 p.m. A service celebrating his life will be held in Dover Foursquare Church, 302 E Slingluff Ave., Dover, on Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 to 11 in the church. A meal will be shared in the church’s activity center following the service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Donny can be directed to either The Quaker Foundation, PO Box 627, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or the Quaker Club, 248 Front St. SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.