Donald C. Brightwell

Mr. Donald C. Brightwell, 83, of Mount Airy, Maryland, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 10, 2025. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William C. and Lily E. Carlstrom Brightwell, both deceased, and was the husband of 48 years to Linda Brightwell.

Mr. Brightwell worked at several different jobs before finishing his career with Erie Insurance for 25 years as a Property Damage Adjustor, receiving many Employee of the Year awards. He was also inducted into the Historical Society of Mount Airy's Hall of Fame in 2015 in recognition of his volunteer work in the community.

Donnie or Don, however you knew him, loved people, and he made friends wherever he went. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from March 1964 to December 1969. He was a member of the Howard Chapel-Ridgeville United Methodist Church where he had served and was currently serving as Chair of the Trustees. He was a member of the Historical Society of Mount Airy. He was a 57-year life member of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company and served many years on the Board and was still active at the time of his death.

He loved having projects to work on, and his favorite project was probably restoring his red 1960 Chevrolet. He was well known as "Mr. Fix-It" because folks brought all kinds of equipment for him to repair - lawn mowers, weed whackers, leaf blowers; if it had a motor, he would tackle it and usually be successful at fixing it. He also held on to various surplus supplies and was willing to share with anyone who had a need for anything he might have in stock. He could turn a pile of scraps into an amazing, lighted Christmas display. He enjoyed researching his family history at local churches and courthouses. He enjoyed kayaking, some biking, and skiing, but he looked forward with great anticipation to his annual trip to the AACA Hershey Flea Market where he camped in his 1965 black panel truck that had served as a flower wagon for the Molesworth Funeral Home. He got quite a few comments about that truck and many offers. He also enjoyed getting together with his classmates from the 1960 graduating class of Glenelg High School.

Surviving besides his wife, Linda, are brother-in-law Ron Watkins, nieces Lisa Brightwell of Catonsville and Shannon (Ian) Halikman of Waldorf and nephews Rodney (Karen) Mullinix of Woodbine and Tom (Jeanie) Watkins of Mount Airy. Mr. Brightwell was preceded in death by both of his brothers, William C., Jr., and Robert Brightwell, and sister-in-law, Evelyn Brightwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Howard Chapel Cemetery, c/o Mary Frances Gosnell, 1674 Florence Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771 or to the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, 702 N. Main Street, Mount Airy, MD 21771.

Donald C. Brightwell