1935-2026
Donald Royce Stout, age 90 of Bellefontaine, formerly of Marysville, passed away peacefully at Otterbein Green Hills SeniorLife Community in West Liberty, Ohio, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Known to most as Don, he was born in Ostrander, Ohio, on December 21, 1935, to the late Glenn H. and Bessie M. (Phillips) Stout. Don graduated from Scioto Valley High School, class of 1954, before going on to graduate from Andrew and Columbus Barber College. Don would go on to work at Burke’s Barbershop in Marysville and eventually purchased the shop, renaming it Stout’s Barbershop not long after. In that time, Don met Merriam “Donna” Sharf, a local beautician and owner of Merriam’s Beauty Salon. They were married on July 3, 1960, in the First Presbyterian Church in Marysville. Don, Donn,a and their family were active for many years with the church.
Throughout his time as a barber, Don was also actively involved in fire service, beginning first as a volunteer firefighter in Ostrander while he was in high school. Don joined the Marysville Fire Department in 1961, where he would proudly serve for over 22 years. In that time, Don initially served as an Assistant Chief before being appointed to Fire Chief from 1969 until 1980. During his distinguished career in fire service, Don taught basic and advanced firefighter courses for Delaware, Union, Logan, and Champaign Counties and was also an instructor for Ohio Trade and Industrial Services.
Don and Donna also managed motels in Connecticut and Florida for a short time and loved traveling. Later in his years, Don also worked for Sanese Services and worked part-time in various positions just to stay active. Don was also a proud Freemason and member of the Hiram Lodge #18 in Delaware. Don will be remembered for his caring dedication, both to his community and his family.
Don will be dearly missed by his daughters, Margo Shipp and Marilee Stout; his grandchildren, Brittany (Mark) Hanby, Royce Shipp, and Rachel Shipp; his great-grandchildren, Lexi Novotney, Lincoln Hanby, and Oliver Shipp; as well as many close friends and extended family members.
Don is preceded in death by his wife, M. Donna Stout; his daughter, Marta Nibert; his granddaughter, Courtney Nibert; his sisters, Nancy Jewett and Linda Montey; and his brothers, Glenn Edward Stout, John Stout, and Joe Stout.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Ingram & Snyder Funeral Home, 975 N. Maple St., Marysville, OH 43040, with Rev. Patricia Stout officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, and Masonic Funeral Rites will be conducted at 10:45 AM on Saturday at the funeral home.
Ingram & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Donald’s family, and condolences may be expressed to them at www.IngramFuneralService.com.
