Donald G. Newman

Donald “Butch” Gene Newman passed away at the age of 81 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Newport, KY on Saturday, June 9th with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Carol Ann (Glenn) Newman, who passed in 2008 and by his only son, Wade H. Newman by just a few months. Don is the father of Virginia N. Morgan, Wade H. Newman and Vivian N. Orndorff; grandfather of Jennifer (Morgan) Short and Emily Morgan, of Julie and Christopher Newman, and of Kathryn and Matthew Orndorff. Don leaves behind his dedicated sister, Patricia Landrum. He was preceded in death by sister Vera Newman, brother Deice Newman, and his parents Edna and Floyd Newman. Don also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Elijah Short, Tegan Recker and Taryn Recker. Don was known to be a true outdoorsman, a skilled hunter and fisherman, a master electrician, a handyman jack-of-all-trades, and a lifelong firearms enthusiast. He was extremely well-read in topics of Native American history, American history, firearms and war. He frequently took his children camping and taught them to shoot, fish, and to respect nature and the earth, even sleeping in a tepee and dressing in buckskins when the occasion called for it. Don and his wife enjoyed adventures to nearly-lost family cemeteries and finding treasures at an antique store or flea market. He and Carol were dedicated to genealogical research and helped countless others in their own research journeys. Their combined life’s work is destined to be shared with future generations. Perhaps more than anything, Don will be remembered as a best friend to many. He had a gift for forming meaningful friendships and considered many friends to be his family. He was devoted to them, and in turn they were devoted to him. It is safe to say that he was happiest with his group of buddies at Friendship, Indiana and with “anything that shoots” in his hands. Don’s wishes were not to have a funeral service. He will be interred next to his wife in the mausoleum fountain at Arlington Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Compton Rd in Cincinnati, OH. A celebration of life for Don and son Wade will be planned in the near future for friends and family. Memorial donations can be made to the Don Newman Memorial Fund, Sporting Clay Range and sent to NMLRA, PO Box 67, Friendship, IN, 47021.