Obituary

Donald C. Adams, age 97, departed mortality on Friday, 28 March 2025, from his home in Johnstown, PA.

He was born Sunday, 12 June 1927, at the height of the Roaring Twenties, to Merritt and Florence (McDowell) Adams, in Johnstown, PA. Among his siblings, he was fourth in line: Charles (Jeanne Hewitt), Gene (Lucille Santoro), Dorothy (George Novison) – Don – Jay (Dorothy Frombach), Paul (Hazel Shultz), Roy (Catherine Raymore), Phyllis (Francis Borodach); Phyllis and Francis survive Don.

Soon, too soon, the prosperity of the ‘20s collapsed into the crucible of the 1929 Great Depression. In these times, the young Don was tempered.

His father died while he was in Eighth Grade. Due to family necessity, Don left formal education in his Ninth Grade year to earn funds critical to the support of his mother and his four younger siblings. His unwavering, selfless devotion to them is best exemplified by the tribute paid to him, during his 90th birthday party, by his brother Roy – ‘Don isn’t only my brother, but my father as well’.

During the Second World War, Don willingly answered the call of his country, serving in the European Theater of Operations, doing his part to ensure that Nazi tyranny was stopped.

After the war, he returned home, met, and – six months later – married Phyllis J. Kellar on Saturday 04 June 1949. Soon additions to their young family arrived; Ron, Frank (Cathy Walat), Scott (Paula Boyd), and Carla (Steven Lose). Phyllis paused her nursing career to raise their family; Don was the breadwinner, working in various capacities – mill worker, outside typewriter/office supply sales, and retired as the top salesman in the floor covering department at Sears.

Don and Phyllis enjoyed alternating their retirement winters between Arizona and Florida, eventually deciding to make Sebring, Florida their permanent seasonal destination. In the summers they delighted in riding his motorcycle in and around Pennsylvania. After Phyllis passed, on Friday, 21 April 2006 (one week shy of her 82nd birthday), Don continued to winter in Sebring until the Spring of 2020.

Much of Don’s life was consumed in work; work to support his mother and younger siblings, work to support his wife and children, work to teach those children how to work, work to give to his church and community – his ethos firmly rooted in the tripartite essence of Christianity – Faith, Hope, and Charity. Don’s sacrifice was enormous, and he loved every minute of it.

In addition to his children, Don’s legacy lives on through his grandchildren, Robert P. Adams (Allison Kaseler); Marie L. Tauer (Charlie); Robert K. Adams; Daniel P. Lose; great grandchildren, Mason Adams (fiancé Hanna Loving); Carter Adams; Amber L. Milligan (Chase); Daniel P. Lose Jr.; and great great granddaughter, Sadie Milligan.

In short, Don lived his life well.

A viewing will be held on Saturday 05 April 2025 at 10 a.m. at Davidsville Community Church, 197 Pender Road, Johnstown, PA, 15905, with military honors beginning at 10:30 a.m. Funeral service to follow. Pastor Wes Yoder, officiating. A luncheon will be provided at the church following all services.

Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com.