Donald Wright Black, 95, of Crawfordsville passed away Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.
He was born in May 27, 1925, at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Harry Lawson and Leslie Merle (Wright) Black.
Donald served in the US Navy as a pilot during World War II. He retired from Pullman Standard in Hammond as superintendent of railroad car repair shop and manager of production material inventory.
He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and sang in the choir.
Don built his own log home, and loved to garden. He was a wood carver, carving mostly birds and animals. He did a lot of research of his carvings to make them as realistic as possible.
On May 12, 1945, he married Doris M. Jaeger. She preceded him in death March 13, 1987. He then married Ruth Ann Gilmore on April 17, 1988. She survives.
Also surviving are: brother Terrence Black of Findley, Minnesota; sister Beverly Curtis of Buffalo, Minnesota; children, Kevin D. Black of Normal, Illinois, and Melissa S. Beilfuss of Chesterton; adopted daughters, Patricia Ann Leer of Griffin, Georgia, and Nancy Ann Belanger of Seneca, South Carolina; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by daughter Zoe Ellen Fiedler on Aug. 13, 2020.
Due to COVID-19, cremation was chosen with private family services to be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s or charity of donors choosing.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.huntandson.com.
