Obituary

David Allen Donovan passed away August 30, 2024 in Dayton, Ohio at the age of 80. He is preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Harshman, his stepfather Moe Harshman and his ten siblings: Leroy Donovan and wife Margene, Richard Donovan and wife Mary, Dorothy Simison and husbands Harold and Richard Heller, Patricia Flore and husband Jack, William Donovan and wife Irma, Glenn Donovan and wife Claris, Jocelyn Van Syoc, Dennis Donovan, Donald Donovan and twin brother Dale Donovan.  

He is survived by his husband of 47 years, Barry Schlaile; and his brother in law Stan Van Syoc, and sisters in law Carol Perkins, Judy Donovan and Patti Donovan. In addition he is survived by 26 nieces and nephews, many grand and great grand nieces and nephews, and a chosen family that includes Robert and Bridget Greathouse and Michael Poston.

David grew up in the Oak Park neighborhood of Kettering Ohio. He graduated from Fairmont High School in 1962, received an associate degree in accounting from Sinclair Community College and a Bachelor of Science from Morehead State University in 1968.

He worked for General Motors beginning in 1962 as a co-op student and left GM in 1984 when he was working with Dayton Information Systems Activities. He and Barry moved to New Orleans in 1984 where David started his retail business Eclectique Antiques and Shades of Light. It was then that he pursued his passion for beautiful things and became known for his one of a kind hand crafted lamps. He retired in 2016 back to his hometown of Kettering, OH.

David’s love of golf was born as a teenager and he worked as a caddy during  summers. When he played he had a zero handicap. David loved collecting antiques and worked to create a home environment where every spot had something interesting to look at. Over the years he developed an encyclopedic knowledge on a broad spectrum of decorative objects and furniture.

David and Barry enjoyed traveling and exploring European destinations and particularly loved Christmases in Paris. They loved sharing their home and holiday table with friends and family and David would often entertain guests with his at times unfiltered stories of his past adventures.

He made friends easily and when David made friends they became friends for life. He kept those relationships dear from his grade school days back in the neighborhood of Oak Park until the day he passed on. 

A celebration of life officiated by the Rev. Jason Alspaugh will take place at the First Baptist Church of Dayton, OH, 111 W. Monument Street, Dayton, OH on Saturday, September 7^th at 11:00 am. Arrangements are being handled by Glickler Funeral Home.

If you wish to honor David, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice that lifts up someone in need, helps expand someone’s knowledge, or enhances the beauty of our world through the arts or nature.