Donald Young

Donald “Donnie” E. Young

Age 62, of West Milton, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, at Miami Valley Hospital. He was born November 3, 1962, in Dayton, Ohio, to his parents Donald E. & Hattie Mae (Niswonger) Young. He was a warm and generous individual who will be remembered as a kind soul who selflessly put others before himself. He graduated from Kiser High School in the class of 1981 and later furthered his education at Sinclair Community College.

Donnie's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Young Don Contractors, a business that thrived not only on the foundation of hard work and integrity but on the personal connections he developed with his clientele and employees.

On December 12, 1998, Donnie married the love of his life, Terri Joo in a ceremony filled with love in Dayton. Their union was not just a marriage but a lifelong adventure, one that saw them refurbish the former Wild Cherry Park into a home that embodied their shared values of family, love, and nature.

Donnie's passions extended beyond his work and home life. He enjoyed camping with his family, growing vegetables in his garden and the ocean.  

Kids held a special place in Donnie's heart. He always made time to attend events such as ballet, music recitals, soccer and softball games, and loved being a Girls Scout "Dad" to his daughter's Troop. He was often called a kid magnet. 

Animals also held a special place in Donnie's heart, with each pet becoming a treasured member of the Young family, especially his dog Noah who accompanied Donnie to work every day. His philosophy was simple: family always came first, and his actions were a testament to this belief. He was the kind of man who would go the extra mile to lend a hand, his generosity knowing no bounds. Donnie was, quite simply, an awesome husband, father, and friend.

As we say farewell to Donnie, it is with the knowledge that his legacy of kindness, generosity, and altruism will continue to resonate within the community he loved so dearly. While he may no longer walk among us, his spirit and the lessons he imparted through his life will endure. Donnie will be deeply missed, but the shining example he set as a man of honor and love will live on, guiding us through the tapestry of our own lives.

He will be missed and remembered by his loving wife Terri Young; daughter and son-in-law Emily “Brat Child” Jackson & Billy Ely of Vandalia; grandchildren Jacob Huff and William Ely; brother and sister-in-law Jim & Yoshiko Young of Clayton; "favorite mother-in-law" Patty & Tom Becker of Xenia; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Eric & Kim Joo. Uncle Donnie will be missed by his numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters and brothers-in-law Shirley & Bud Lindsey, Pat & Gerrick Yamamoto, and his father-in-law Fred Joo.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, June 20, at Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home, 284 N. Miami Street, West Milton. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.  If so desired memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St. New York, NY 10128. Memories may be shared with the family online at www.hale-sarver.com

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