Donald Edward Schultz

Retired Logan Fire Chief, Donald Edward Schultz, 91, passed away December 22, 2025 in Lancaster following an extended illness. He is preceded in death by his parents Keith and Mildred, his brothers; twin Ronald (Marion), Keith (Springfield, TN), sister Vicki Marlene Green (Monroe, TN) and son Todd Leroy. He is survived by sons Gregory (Vicki) and Erich and daughter Kendra (Daniel) Weiland; granddaughters Katelyn (Michael) Croston, Briana (Brent) Dill and Megan Weiland; great-Granddaughters Beckett Dill, Scarlett Croston and Great Grandson Michael Croston.

Besides serving on the Logan Fire Department, he was a fire instructor and helped train firefighters on many small departments in southeast Ohio. Following retirement he remained active by volunteering on Starr Township Fire Department. On his off days from the fire department he worked Sears Roebuck, doing sales, deliveries, and built many miles of fence.

His first love was the US Navy where he served over 32 years both active and in the reserves. It was the Navy where he learned to SCUBA dive and was proud of being a “deep sea diver”. He served the rate of Mineman, specializing in explosive ordinance disposal in active duty. Following his active enlistment, he served over 25 years in the naval reserves first as Damage Controlman and later as Aviation Boatswain's Mate.

His Navy training in SCUBA not only became a hobby but he used his training and abilities to serve the southern Ohio region. As SCUBA was a new technology in the 1950s and 1960s, with his connections through the Fire Department, Don was often called on to help in recovery of drowning and other water recoveries. In 1968 he was one of the first divers on scene at the Silver Bridge.

As a hobby, Don trained many other local residents in SCUBA. Winter ice dives in Lake Logan were common and trips to Tobermory, Ontario became an annual trek for him and other local divers to explore the many shipwrecks there.

In 1972 he began volunteering with the newly formed Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville for 30 years as well as working with the Durbin and Greenbriar Valley Railroad in West Virginia where he spent many weekends firing their 1910 Climax #3; he remained active into his mid 80’s. His interest in railroads took him all over the country riding trains from New Hampshire to California with the Cass (WV) Scenic Railroad being his favorite.

He also enjoyed wood working and built countless projects over the years.

He did many things in his 91½ years. He was a farmer, train conductor & fireman, craftsman, Navy veteran, firefighter & instructor, hardware salesman, SCUBA and deep-sea diver and many more too numerous to count. But it was as a friend, father and grandfather he’ll be missed and most remembered.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM at Roberts Funeral home in Logan on Saturday, January 24, 2026 with the funeral at 11:00. Inurnment will be at Shaw Cemetery.

Letters of condolence may be left at www.robertsfuneralhomelogan.com

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