Donald E. Johns

Donald Edwin Johns II, 62, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, surrounded by family who loved him so dearly.

He was born in Bucyrus on September 27, 1963, to Ellen (Bailey) Haycook and the late Donald E. Johns I. Don attended Marion Schools before returning to Bucyrus, where he graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1981. He also attended The Ohio State University.

Don is survived by his devoted mother, Ellen; loving wife, Shirley (Richmond) Johns; son, Austin (Morgan) Johns; daughter, Stacee (Tommy) Gimlich; grandchildren, Chase, Drayden, Emmy, and Westin; sister, Selina Shumate; brother, Steve (Carol) Shumate; his “fur babies”; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father; his brother, Mike Shumate; stepfather, “Papa” Don Haycook; and Harry Robinson, a loving father-figure in his early years.

Don got every bit of joy he could out of life, and he had a way of sharing that joy with everyone around him. Time with him usually meant laughing a little louder, taking the scenic route, stopping at one more junk store, or making a memory you didn’t know you’d be talking about years later.

Thirty years ago, while working together at BPT, Don met the love of his life, Shirley. She’ll still tell you she thought he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. They built a beautiful life together filled with laughter, road trips, flea markets, and garage sales. If there was a garage sale, community sale, flea market, estate sale, thrift store, or antique shop nearby, Don was going to find it. He loved “wheelin’ and dealin’” and was always convinced there was one more treasure waiting around the next corner. These countless little adventures became some of their favorite memories.

More than anything else, Don loved being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.

Austin was the joy that came later in life and the accomplishment Don was most proud of. Nothing made him happier than watching the little boy who once ran around Foxfire Campground grow into the man and husband he became. He loved sharing adventures with Austin and seeing his dreams come true. He was constantly smiling and proudly saying, “That's my boy!”

Though Stacee was his stepdaughter by title, Don never believed in “step.” She was simply his daughter, his “Baby Girl.” Although he loved to tell stories about her as an angsty teenager, he took every opportunity to tell her how incredibly proud of her he was.

Being a grandpa was one of his favorite jobs. Chase, Drayden, Emmy, and Westin filled his heart in a way only grandchildren can. Chase was always “Corn Dog,” and if he knew Chase was there, he’d walk through the door with a big grin yelling, “CORNNNDOGGG!” loud enough for the whole house to hear.

He loved being on the road. Sunny days were made for riding his Harley or taking the “Daddy Caddy” out for a drive. During his years working with HSM, he had the opportunity to see much of the country, and he embraced every mile of it. Arizona always held a special place in his heart. He loved the Grand Canyon, driving Route 66, winding through the Sidewinder, stopping in Oatman to visit the donkeys, and discovering whatever little roadside treasures happened to be waiting around the next bend. Those places became even more meaningful when he watched his son, Austin, marry Morgan beneath the beautiful red rocks of Sedona.

Some of Don’s favorite memories were much simpler. They were made at Foxfire Campground, sitting beside the grill with a cold beer in his hand while Austin spent the day running around with his lifelong group of friends, affectionately known as the “Camp Rats.” Those weekends were filled with friends, family, laughter, stories, and the kind of memories that only become more valuable with time.

He also had a heart for animals that seemed to have no limits: cats, dogs, birds, donkeys, it didn’t matter. If it had fur, feathers, or four legs, Don loved it. Animals always seemed to find a friend in him.

Saturdays in the fall meant cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Sundays meant rooting for the Steelers. NASCAR also held a special place as he rooted for Dale Sr. and Kevin Harvick.

Sunday mornings were meant for church, receiving God's word from Pastor Micah Pelkey and Pastor Chad Guined’s sermons at Storyside Church. He was welcomed at Storyside after a “Blessing of the Bikes” event in 2019 and they became his church family. He proclaimed his faith through believer’s baptism on April 12, 2026.

In 2024, cancer became part of Don’s story, but it never defined who he was. He faced cancer the same way he lived, with grit, humor, and heart. He never let it take who he was and was always determined to beat it! He was still the guy planning the next trip, looking for the next bargain, talking to complete strangers like old friends, telling his dad jokes, and finding joy in every chance he got to spend time with the people he loved.

If you want to honor Don, take the trip, stop at the garage sale, buy the old car, and pet the dog. Tell your family you love them, and always make the memory. If Don taught us anything in this life, it’s this: “Life is short, so enjoy the ride.”

Don’s services will be held at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus on Monday, July 6. Family will receive friends from 4-7 pm and his funeral will begin promptly at 7:14 pm, a time Don cherished daily, with Pastor Chad Guined officiating. He will be laid to rest privately in Oakwood Cemetery. Those who cannot attend but wish to watch a livestream of the service may ask Don’s family for a link.

Don’s family kindly requests the dress attire to be “biker casual,” or however Don would have remembered you. Don loved to wear his button-down Harley shirts, with and without sleeves, so that said, a button-down and blue jeans will work just fine.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made payable to Tunnels to Towers or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Don’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.