Donald Monnig

Donald Joseph Monnig, a loving husband to Patricia and father to his 5 kids, slipped away from this earth on June 1, 2022 at Symphony at Centerville, surrounded by family. Don was born on July 20, 1929, the oldest of 6 children, in Dayton, Ohio, to Albert and Margaret (Staas) Monnig. He graduated from Chaminade High School in 1947 but in the spring of ’47 almost died from spinal meningitis and was given his first “Last Rites.” As a result, he permanently lost the hearing in his left ear. After high school, Don worked at Western Electric Company and Frigidaire Division – General Motors Corp. before being drafted into the U.S. Army at the start of the Korean conflict in Jan. 1951.

He trained with the Army Signal Corps in basic electronics, radio, radar and micro-wave at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey with further training at San Luis Obispo, California. Don was then stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany and was assigned as a microwave radio repairman. While stationed in Europe, he loved traveling when on furlough to different countries, taking many pictures as he loved being an amateur photographer.

Don was discharged from the Army in Dec. 1952, returning to Dayton and worked again at Frigidaire. He married Patricia Hagans in 1954 and moved to Columbus to attend Ohio State University under the G.I. Bill. Don graduated with a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing with minors in Economics and Industrial Management in Aug. 1957.

Don began his career in civil service with the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Sept. 1957 where he had many different assignments during his tenure – all at WPAFB. He was a Supply Officer in the Directorate of Material; in 1959, he transferred to Manpower and Management Services; 1968 he was promoted to a Supervisory Management Analyst, Directorate of Manpower & Organization, HQ Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC that became the current AF Material Command). He retired as Chief of Personnel at Headquarters Support Office (1989-1991) for AFLC. Dad was the key figure supervising the logistics of US personnel and supplies to anywhere in the world the Air Force needed to move due to conflict, etc. His office was in arms distance to the base commander and top general at WPAFB.

He received numerous awards including several outstanding performances and special act awards including being named AFLC Manpower Management Civilian of the Year (1986) and was nominated as command selectee for Air Force Manpower Management Civilian of the Year competition.

Dad was affectionately known as “Don Juan” Monnig at his office for running the office coffee fund - it funded their blow-out annual Steak & Corn Roast. Of course, Dad also organized that and pushed it to the limit – he had a ball organizing anything.

Don retired after more than 35 years of service in Jan 1991. Dad never told us what he did as most everything he did was top secret/classified. He traveled to the Pentagon & Air Force bases across the country often.

After retirement, Don enjoyed playing golf and especially Walleye fishing. He usually spearheaded his ‘47 class reunions for his Chaminade High School Class and was very involved in Dor-Wood Optimist Club and helped make The Avenue of Flags what it is today along with the annual Dor-Wood Christmas Tree lot, (Dor-Wood’s fundraisers) for years until he was about 89. When Don would get over 100 flags on his flag route, Dor-Wood would take some of the load from him, he’d then sell more.

Dad didn’t know a stranger, was loved by all and if you needed help, he was always there for his family and friends. A great joke teller and you knew where he was in a room by hearing his distinct laugh. He was also the smartest man we knew, who could fix about anything and had common sense – a rare mix.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Margaret Monnig, brother, Richard F. Monnig, father & mother-in-law, David and Aurelia Hagans as well as son-in-law, Stephen E. Townsend.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia, children Donna (Richard) Green, Edmond, OK; Paul (Margaret) Monnig and Laura (Roger) Lyons, Kettering, OH; Elaine (Gary Holt) Townsend, Franklin, OH; and Mark (Angela) Monnig, Surprise, AZ. Grandchildren Ashley (Clay Cook) and Nicholas Green, Aurelia (Tyler Gray) and Bradley (Rosanna) Monnig, Hayley (David Schmolinsky) and Jonathan Lyons, Katie (Evan Wilson), Emily (Sam Hollon), Sean (Jessica) Townsend, Alexandra, Dale, Brenden and Casey Monnig. Great grandchildren Isla, Nolan, Cora, Eleanor, Jocelyn, Gillienne, Andrew, Kaile, Brandon and Kobe. Brothers Robert Monnig, Thomas Monnig, Norman Monnig , sister Rita Barnes and many other nieces, nephews and extended family. Family to receive friends Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Beavercreek Chapel ( If additional parking should be needed please park at Paul's office building next door "Champion Building") Mass of Christian Burial 10:30AM Wednesday at the Ascension Catholic Church

The family would like to thank the staff of Symphony at Centerville for all their kindness and compassionate care, along with VITAS Hospice during his stay at Symphony. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given in Donald's name to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, the Dor-Wood Optimist Club, or any hospice.

The world was definitely a better place when Don was in it! While at OSU, every Monday during the season, he loved attending his college idol, Woody Hayes's critique of that game. We know Don's secret moto was something he picked up from Woody "Pay it Forward". That was Don, one hell of a man.