Earl Richard Dohner

Earl graduated from Dixie High School in 1956 then married the love of his life, Elene (Owens) June 8, 1958. They made their home, raised two children and started a business in Brookville, OH. Earl began his auto mechanic career at Little’s Garage, then with Elene’s help, owned and operated E & E’s Garage from 1982-1999. He became certified as a Master Automotive Technician by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

He was proud to serve his state and country, first as a soldier and then an officer in the Ohio Army National Guard for 27 years, retiring as a Major and for 2 years with the Ohio Military Reserve, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Earl was very civic minded as a Rotarian, a 100-gallon blood donor and was on numerous community boards of directors including the Miami Valley Career Technical Center and the Grace Brethren Village. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Directors at each of the three levels - regional, state and national - of the Automotive Service Association. He was also a member of American Legion Post 762.

Earl knew the Lord, was a Christian and devoted member of the Christian Life Center where he and Elene volunteered in different ways including as couples’ coaches, Bible study group leaders and were regulars as worship service greeters until they became too ill to attend.

He liked mowing his yard, tending to Elene’s many flower beds and growing upside-down tomato plants. He often helped out by mowing others’ yards and planting flowers. He enjoyed sitting on his deck with a cup of coffee in the mornings and had a large collection of all manner of eagle statues and paintings. He and Elene loved to travel and were able to visit Mexico, Hawaii, take an Alaskan cruise and attend several conferences in Las Vegas, Dallas and Orlando, among others.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elene; children, Rodney Dohner (Jeanette) of New Lebanon, OH and Diane Lavallee (Steve) of Pembroke, NH; siblings Joy Caden (Terry) of Brookville, OH, Roger Dohner (Sharon) of Bellbrook, OH; sisters-in-law, Sue Dohner of New Lebanon, OH and Sharon Dohner of Nappanee, IN, Carol Duke (Ed) of Brookville, OH, Gloria Stone (Lenval) of Phillipsburg, OH and brother-in-law, Terry Morris of Lewisburg, OH; grandson, Parker Miller (Erin) of Sault St. Marie, MI; great-grandchildren, Calla, Cameron and Kaitlyn; great-great-grandchildren, Makenzie and Myles; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Miriam Dohner; sister, Margaret and brothers, Dwight and Donald.

Family will be holding a celebration of life in Ohio at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stop Soldier Suicide at stopsoldiersuicide.org or by mail to Stop Soldier Suicide, P. O. Box 110605, Durham, NC 27709.