Donald A. Little

It is with sadness in our hearts that we must announce that Donald A. (Donnie) Little, 91, of Dover, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Amberwood Manor in New Philadelphia.

Donnie was the youngest son born to Melvin & Irene (Matchett) Little, entering the world on Christmas Day 1933 in Newcomerstown, Ohio, joining older brothers Harry & Weldon (Bud). He was very proud of the fact that he and “JC” shared a birthday, and he loved that people everywhere got together to celebrate his big day. Donnie loved his roots in Newcomerstown and often told of the adventures he had along with his brothers and friends as they roamed around town, through streets and alleys, going down to the river to swim and jump off “the highbanks” with his dog Kappy, and enjoying all that life had to offer in those days! He was involved in many activities in his youth, including playing sports (football, baseball, basketball, track, and even band), but he had a special love for football. He left his beloved Newcomerstown after graduation to serve his country when he enlisted as a proud member of the United States Navy. His deployment aboard the USS New Jersey took him to many ports around the world as he served during the Korean War. He often recounted tales of his journeys in those days for years to come to his family and friends. He was especially proud of the fact that the treaty to end the Korean Conflict was signed aboard his ship, the BB62 (“Big Bastard”), the USS New Jersey.

Newcomerstown was also where he found the love of his life, a beautiful young girl named June Marlene Carney. Their courtship was interrupted by his enlistment in the Navy, but on May 26, 1955, Don and June eloped to Indiana with their good friends Don and Doris Best along as witnesses. Don and June moved to the Dover area and eventually settled into their home on Hemlock St, where they would later welcome their children, son Todd, and daughters Wendy and Jill, to their family. Don was proud of the work he did at General Telephone (which later became GTE, then Verizon, now Frontier) in New Philadelphia, where he was employed for 42 years until his retirement in 1994. While at GTE, he was a loyal representative of the Communication Workers of America Local 4385, where he served as a past president. He also thoroughly enjoyed his years playing on the company softball team. He most enjoyed the continuing education he received from the various electronics classes he took over the years through the company, that helped him move from working as a lineman out in the cold to finally working in the EAX office on Front Street in New Phila at his retirement, with many other positions along the way.

Don truly became a part of his adopted community by serving it in many capacities. For over 20 years, he worked for the Dover Fire Department, working as a night fireman while also working days at GTE. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie he had with his fellow firefighters and playing on the Police and Fire softball team representing the City of Dover. As a firefighter and EMT, Don was truly an unsung hero, having been part of saving lives and homes many times over the years, enduring multiple injuries on the job, as well as hospitalizations for smoke inhalation.

Don and June were longtime members of the Dover First United Methodist Church and devoted many years participating in the Friendship Class and the Homebuilders group. Don faithfully served on various committees at the church, as an Usher for many years, and as an active member of the United Methodist Men’s Group where he was proud to tell anyone who would listen that he was one of only a few who had the “special recipe” for the Chicken BBQ marinade sauce! Don also cherished his membership in the Elks and enjoyed spending time on the golf course, and was an avid participant in the Elks Golf League.

Don will be remembered by many in the Dover Community for his love of Dover Football! He enjoyed his many years as a season ticket holder of the Dover Tornadoes football team and his participation in the Dover Tornado Club, working many hours on the Tornado Relays and Fish Fry, but was especially proud of his involvement in Dover Youth Football, where he proudly coached many young members of the Titans team. His dedication to the sport and to enriching the lives of the boys on those teams will long be remembered.

Don was also a longtime fan of his beloved Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians! Going to games at Municipal Stadium in every type of weather imaginable, and with every possible outcome was a much-loved Sunday experience for Don & Todd. A favorite sports memory of Don, Todd, Andrew, Taylor, and Logan was being together and watching the Cavaliers win the NBA Championship on Father’s Day in 2016, as well as his many years of assistant coaching with the boys’ baseball and football teams through the years.

Additionally, Don and June were recipients of the 2004 Senior Adult Hero award from the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross as part of the Red Cross Hometown Heroes program. They were honored for showing compassion, courage, character or humanity toward others after a community-wide nomination process and were selected by 23 honorary judges for having taken early retirement and stepping up to help rear their grandsons following the tragic loss of their daughter-in-law.

Don and June were blessed to share 66 years of marriage until her passing on August 1, 2021. Don leaves behind to cherish his memory his children and their families, including son Todd (Candy) Little of Dover, and his daughters Wendy (Stephen) Myers of Port Washington and Jill A. Morgan of Dover. Also grieving his loss are his grandchildren, Lindsay Morgan (Jeff McClain) of Strasburg, Erin Myers (Derrick Rausch) of Uhrichsville, Brandon Myers of North Carolina, Andrew (Madison) Little, of Sunbury, OH, Taylor (Andrew) Loos-Little of Minerva Park, OH, Logan (Pauline) Little of Massillon; his nine great-grandchildren, Brayden, Alyssa, and Carter Morgan of Strasburg, McKenna and Dane Rausch of Uhrichsville, Parker, Olivia and Ava Myers of North Carolina, and Colson Little of Massillon; and a great-great grandaughter, Octavia Ridenour of Strasburg. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Joan Little of Arizona, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will forever cherish their memories of Don and his love of laughter.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harry and Weldon, by his sisters-in-law Mabel Little, Bonnie Braden, and Betty Ault, and by his beloved daughter-in-law Linn Holmes Little.

Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 5-7 pm. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 am with Don’s nephew, David Little officiating. Burial will follow at Dover Burial Park, where the Dover Fire Department will provide an escort and the New Philadelphia VFW will conduct military Honors. To sign an online guestbook, visit the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Dover Tornado Club, PO Box 81, Dover, Ohio 44622, or the USS New Jersey Museum, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103 or at www.battleshipnewjersey.org.