Donald Gene Stith
Donald Gene Stith, age 82 years of Troutville, passed away Monday, July 11, 2022 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Donald (Don) Gene Stith was born in Hannibal, Missouri, on September 20, 1939. His parents were Herbert Stith and Loretta Millslagle, but was always fond of the loving kindness of his maternal grandmother Zola. Don attended Hannibal High School and participated in track and tennis Don also l graduated from the University of Missouri at Rolla with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He spent a short time in the US Army being honorably discharged after several bouts with his lifelong Crohn’s disease.
Don worked as a plant engineer at additive processing plants for Standard Oil and Amoco Chemicals, where he met Beverly Nawrocki. They were married for 27 years until Beverly’s passing in February 2021. They shared travels and numerous lifelong friends and coworkers they had in Illinois, Missouri, Virginia, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. They provided a great (albeit quite spoiled) home to several rambunctious dogs over the years which they affectionately called “their kids”. The smallest and cutest of the family was “Stoney”, a Chihuahua that loved to park on Don’s lap. Stoney provided comfort and companionship to Don especially in the months since his wife Beverly passed away.
Don loved antique guns, and for years he competed in numerous mullet competitions across the Midwest and the Eastern Colonial states. He received numerous awards for competing in shooting and ax throwing. For many years, Don made beautiful replicas of antique revolutionary guns that he was known for by enthusiasts from across the country.
Don and Beverly were members of St. Phillip Lutheran Church (just down the road from Troutville) for the last several years and also attended the Church of the Transfiguration and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. The church communities provided a place for Don and Bev to enjoy 50’s dances, ice cream socials and numerous friends that provided great comfort in their twilight years.
Don is survived by his siblings Rebecca (Becky), Terry (Janie), Ernie (Teddy), Jim (Elaine), and Melody and Travis as well as Bev’s siblings Nancy, Pat (Alex), Jim (Suzanne) and many nieces and nephews. Don’s passing will also be mourned by his first wife Jan and their daughter, Doni and two grandkids, Drew and DeShayne. Don will also be greatly missed by his neighbors and close friends Phil and Susie, and Darlene who provided compassion and care for Don in his final months.
A memorial service for Don will be held 11:00 am, Saturday July 23 at St. Phillip Lutheran Church, 8115 Williamson Rd. Roanoke, Virginia.
Memorial contributions in Memory of Donald Stith may be made to St. Phillip Lutheran Church, 8115 Williamson Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019; or to Angels of Assisi Animal Clinic of VA, 415 Campbell Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia 24016; or to The Stith Memorial Garden, C/O The Town of Troutville, PO Box 276, Troutville, Virginia 24175.
Online condolences may be offered to Don's family at www.rader-funeralhome.com/tributes/Donald-Stith.
