Daniel L. Dornbirer

At 10:22 pm, Thursday, April 20, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children, Pastor Dan Dornbirer went HOME to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He was 56. He is finally able to completely rest, free of cancer and pain. With a new body, he is walking the streets of gold. With a restored voice, he is singing the old hymns and worshipping at the feet of Jesus.

Daniel Lawrence Dornbirer was born to Paul and Shirley Dornbirer on December 2, 1966, in Bucyrus, Ohio. He was a 1985 graduate of Wynford High School. He entered the Air National Guard in December 1984 and served through March 1992, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He attended Bowling Green State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1990. In 1994, he received his Master’s degree in School Counseling from Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio.

He worked for 30 years in the public school system, including 4 years as biology teacher and 26 years as school counselor. His last position was at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby, Ohio. In July 2021, he took an early retirement because it was his great desire to pastor his church full time.

On August 2, 1988, having repented of his sins and putting his full trust in Jesus Christ, he was born again. This event forever changed his life because he went from trusting in his own good works for salvation to completely trusting in the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

On November 10, 1990, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Elizabeth Boyden, and the Lord gave them three beautiful children, Lauren Danielle, Christian Lee, and Evan Paul. He was a great family man, always putting his family first. He would forego working in the summers so that he could spend more time with his family, whether it was taking vacations, working on projects around the home, romping around the woods with his kids in tow, or sitting and talking about what our goals in life were. He loved to teach and used every opportunity to do this with his family. Whether it was teaching biblical truths, coaching his children in piano and violin or teaching them about farm and country life, he loved every minute of it. He believed family was a gift from God, never took his role as husband and father lightly, and always protected his family.

In 2009, he was called to preach the Gospel and began diligently studying to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Gulf Coast Bible Institute, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. This degree which he received in 2012, was his most prized educational degree and he highly regarded it. In recent years, he completed over half of a Master’s degree also through Gulf Coast Bible Institute.

It became clear that the Lord was calling him to start a new work. His desire was to see an independent fundamental Baptist church in every city, town, and village. In October 2014, he began the work of starting a new local church in Nevada, Ohio called Old Paths Baptist Church. In May 2016, the church moved to its present location. He took this task very seriously and worked tirelessly to get the church up and running.

He was zealous for the Gospel and used many opportunities to share his faith through Gospel tracts and personal witnessing because he was always mindful that time was at hand. He loved preaching the Gospel and pastoring his congregation. He diligently labored in his study of God’s Word and loved to teach what the Lord had shown him. It was his great desire to have one on one Bible studies because he believed that was key in helping others to grow in their faith. One of his goals was to preach through each chapter of the Bible.

Pastor Dan leaves behind his wife of 32.5 years, Kathryn, and his beloved children: daughter, Lauren Danielle Dornbirer (Caleb Williams); son, Christian Lee Dornbirer, daughter in law, Taylor Nicole Dornbirer, beloved grandchildren, Jayce Anthony and Elliana Grace Dornbirer; son, Evan Paul Dornbirer and daughter in law, Hannah Abigale Dornbirer.

Also surviving Pastor Dan are his parents, Paul and Shirley Dornbirer; his 5 siblings and their spouses: Christopher and Lynda Dornbirer, Victoria and Pere Rubert, Melissa and Keith Schlecte, Jonathan and Robin Dornbirer, and Michael and Rachael Dornbirer; 7 nieces, 7 nephews, 3 great nieces and 1 great nephew.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm on Friday, May 5, at Old Paths Baptist Church, 4402 State Route 19, Bucyrus, OH. Pastor Dan’s Homegoing Service, officiated by Pastor Bill Wert, will also be at the church on Saturday, May 6 at 11:30 am. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus where the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail will provide Military Rites.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ministries of Old Paths Baptist Church. Memories and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.