Donald G. Stidams, 71, Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2019, surrounded by family after a short battle with small-cell lung cancer.

He was born in Salem to the late Delbert and Tilda (Davidson) Stidams, and grew up in New Paris, attending New Paris school in the Goshen, and North Webster areas. He proudly served in the United States Army 1966-1968 with the 25^th Infantry Division, 2/27th Wolfhounds in Cu Chi Viet Nam where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He spent many years in the beverage bottling maintenance field retiring from Shasta Beverages, Obetz, OH in 2005.

He lived and breathed fishing of any kind, known for winning numerous tournament awards in, was the founding member of the LA “Flying Turtle” brothers fishing group, a loyal fan of NASCAR, the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns and had great joy camping with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter “Miss Cay” at the Emerald Island, N.C. beach.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie (Sean) Burns; brothers, Carl, James, Delbert Jr., Brad and Mark; sisters, Marie, Louise, Vannie and Kelly; brother-in-law, Mark Bell; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hurshul and Alyce Bell.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra (Bell) Stidams; sons, Eric Stidams and Donald G. (Katherine) Stidams, Jr.; daughter, Melissa (Woody) Stidams; grandchildren, Justine Stidams, Colin Stidams, Declan Stidams and Madeline Stidams; great-granddaughter, Cadence King. Also, brothers, A.B. “Joe” (Mary) Stidams, West Monroe, La.; George (Joann) Stidams, North Webster; Wayne (Tracey) Stidams, Watertown, SD and Dale (Sherry) Stidams, Watertown, S.D.; sisters, Patricia (Kevin) Koher, North Webster; Billy Joe (Dan) May, North Webster; Eliza (Larry) Jones, Syracuse; sister-in-law Donna (Delbert, Jr.) Stidams, Aloha, Ore.; and nephew Rex (Connie) Powell, Montpelier, N.D., along with numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at the Cotner Funeral Home, 7369 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 where his funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 3, with Pastor Bill Lavely offciiating. He will be laid to rest next to his daughter at the Maplewood Cemetery in New Albany, Ohio.

Don Stidams was not a “suit and tie” guy so dress should be casual. A very special thank you to the 2N10 area MICU nurses at Mt. Carmel East who made our final journey together comfortable and most memorable and to all the Mt. Carmel Pulmonary Group and Columbus Cardiovascular Group for all your efforts