Donald E. Markelwitz

Donald E. Markelwitz, 91, of Dillsburg, formerly of Philipsburg, died Sunday, September 15, 2024 at his home. 

Don was born on July 19, 1933 in Harrisburg to the late Harold E. and E. Romaine (Bingaman) Markelwitz. He is the sibling of John Markelwitz (Doris, deceased) and Roger Gross (Sherry) both of Harrisburg. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Nancy (Wagner) Markelwitz of New Cumberland and daughter Donna L. Barney of Easton. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Markelwitz Marszalek of New Cumberland, daughter Kelli Harman of Mechanicsburg, son Richard Walters (Mary) of Mechanicsburg, and daughter Jill Walters of Atlantic Beach, FL. Don is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Doug, Ethan, Alexis, Richard, Karie, Trevor, Rachel, Anthony, Kimberly, Romaine, and Tristan; and eleven great-grandchildren. 

Upon graduating from John Harris High School, Don served in the Korean War. He was in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command 506th Squadron, an air refueling squadron. During his time in the service, Don was proud to serve in a capacity that provided essential support to the B-29 Superfortress bomber, contributing to the war’s strategic bombing operations and efforts. Don was a member of the American Legion Post 26 - Dillsburg. 

Following his military service, Don later went on to graduate from Penn State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was initially a tool and die maker for Berg Electronics, which later became DuPont Electronics. He retired from DuPont in 1989, a well-respected and successful Plant Manager. Don was the last living engineer from the original Berg Electronics at the time of his death. 

Don was an avid outdoorsman spending his time hunting and fishing for many years. Whether hunting deer or ducks locally with close friends in Liverpool, or traveling to upstate NY for salmon fishing, he always enjoyed the years he spent active in something he loved so much. This pastime was eventually replaced with cruises, traveling all over the world with his wife Nancy and their close family friends. 

Don has been a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne for 34 years and will be greatly missed by his church family. As Don’s health declined over the past year, he would be the first to tell you that God had been good to him and that he lived a great life! 

Don’s friends are invited to join his family at his Graveside Service at 2pm on Friday, September 20th at Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Safe Toddles, a nonprofit company providing pediatric belt canes to blind toddlers like Don’s precious great-grandson Vinny, who lovingly called him his “Great-Grand-PawPaw.” https://www.safetoddles.org/donate