Donald Harkrader

“Donald “Don” Harkrader was born on April 3, 1938, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Benjamin Pearce and Mabel Truster Harkrader. The family first lived in Collinsville, a small village north of Hamilton, where the B&O Railroad ran just behind their home. From an early age, Don developed a lifelong love of trains—especially steam engines. One of his favorite childhood toys was a model train, and as an adult he never missed an opportunity to ride one. He delighted in sharing this passion with his children through short train rides, and in 2010 he fulfilled a dream by traveling cross-country on the Amtrak Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland.

While in Collinsville, Don began his religious education at the Presbyterian Church across the street from his home. His family were members, and Don attended Sunday School and worship regularly.

At age six, the family moved to Hamilton, where Don would reside for the next 79 years. He continued to grow in his faith at Front Street Presbyterian Church. Don attended Madison Elementary, Wilson Junior High, and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1956. In junior high, he discovered a love for the trombone. With lessons from Irvin Hamilton, he became an accomplished musician and eventually the principal trombonist in his high school band. His music teacher encouraged his parents to send him to college to study music—a path Don joyfully pursued.

He attended Miami University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music in 1960, where he played in the band, orchestra, and brass choir. He began a 30-year career teaching instrumental music in Middletown City Schools, later earning his Master of Music from Miami in 1964.

Beyond the classroom, Don shared his love of music with the community as a founding member of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra (now The Butler Philharmonic), and as a member of the Hamilton City Summer Band, the Reinhold Schwarz Bavarian Band, and a band member during annual Easter Sunday Services.

In August 1960, Don married Mary Ann Grabham. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in August 2025. Together they raised two children, Anne and John, and were blessed with five grandchildren.

Don believed in the importance of family traditions. Sundays meant church in the morning and adventures in the afternoon—visiting museums, exploring historic sites, hiking at Hueston Woods or Clifton Gorge, touring prehistoric Indian mounds, taking ferry rides on the Ohio River, or enjoying outings with the local bike club.

Though his family had seldom traveled far from Hamilton, Don and Mary Ann began their married life with a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. The beauty of the mountains, streams, waterfalls, and wildlife captured Don’s heart, and the Smokies became his favorite destination. Over the years, he expanded his travels to all 50 states and, in retirement, to Europe, including Norway, the homeland of his “second son” Tore, the families exchange student.

Health concerns in 1974 led Don to take up bicycling, which became a lifelong passion. He purchased a 10-speed bicycle and joined the Great Miami Bicycle Club, soon leading weekend tours throughout Butler County. Favorite rides included trips to Elite’s in Trenton for ice cream or Harvey’s in Camden for breakfast. With Tore, he also completed TOSRV, a two-day, 100-mile ride from Columbus, OH to Portsmouth, OH and back. In 1978, Don fulfilled a dream of a Vermont bicycle tour, bringing his family along for a week of riding 35–75 miles a day through the countryside—a treasured memory for all. When the family returned home they found riding in Butler County to be very easy!

Retirement gave Don time to read, delve into genealogy, enjoy his grandchildren, renew college friendships, and share coffee with friends at McDonald’s as part of the ROMEO group (“Retired Old Men Eating Out”). Six days a week, the group gathered to celebrate birthdays, support one another through health challenges, talk sports, and welcome newcomers—men and women alike.

Above all, Don was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mabel Harkrader; sisters Joan Starkey (Spates) and Jean McIntosh (Robert); and infant brother Joe. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, children Anne Schillinger and John Harkrader (Lisa), and grandchildren Katherine Schillinger, William Schillinger (Lindsay), Margaret Schillinger, Brooke Harkrader, and Sarah Hayden (Hunter).

Don’s life was marked by music, faith, adventure, and devotion to family and friends. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”

Visitation will be held on October 11, 2025 at Christ Covenant Church, 2191 Struble Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231 from 1pm to 2pm with a service to immediately follow at 2pm.