March 13, 2026
Donald Lee “Donnie” Howdyshell, 86, of Churchville, died on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Shenandoah Hospice House in Fishersville.
He was born on February 28, 1940, in Clover Hill, the son of Eugene Carlton and Evelyn Virginia (Lambert) Howdyshell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister, as well as two special cousins, Dee E. Floyd and Patsy F. Stafford.
Donnie attended Clover Hill School and later graduated from Turner Ashby High School. Following graduation, “Howdy” began working at DuPont in Waynesboro, where he dedicated 33 years of service before retiring in 1992.
He enjoyed staying active and had a lifelong love of baseball. In his younger years, he played third base for Clover Hill in the Rockingham County Baseball League. Donnie also found great joy in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, tending his large garden, and feeding the deer and birds around his home.
In the 1980s, his interest in firearms led him to complete a correspondence course to become a licensed gunsmith. He owned and operated The Gun Shack in Verona until retiring again in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy G. (Drumheller) Howdyshell; a daughter, Teresa A. Howdyshell of Staunton; two sons, Dustin L. Howdyshell and his wife, Marleen, of Verona, and Bradley N. Howdyshell and his wife, Yvonne, of Staunton; three grandchildren, Joshua D. Howdyshell (Stephanie) of Colorado, Jessa L. Howdyshell of Churchville, and Jaylen A. Brown (Kayla) of Staunton; one great-grandson, Kenzo J. Brown of Staunton; three sisters, Lois Driver, Carolyn Aderholz, and Sandy Tusing; a number of nieces and nephews; and a longtime friend, Charlie Sheffer of Staunton.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Shenandoah Baptist Church in Verona, with Pastor Heath Spivey officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the home of Bradley and Yvonne, 1417 N. Augusta St., Staunton.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Shenandoah Hospice House for the compassionate care shown to Donnie and his family.
Thacker Brothers Scottsville Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Donald Howdyshell Obituary (1940-2026) | Churchville, VA
Mr. Howdyshell is the father of Bradley Howdyshell, Owner, Thacker Brothers Funeral Homes.
