Donald Eugene Green

Donald Eugene "Donnie" Green, 77 of Delaware, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital in Columbus after a short battle with dementia.
Born November 21, 1947 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Arthur & Dorothy (Moots) Green. From an early age Donnie enjoyed not only playing sports but watching them. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in Columbus in 1966.
In 1975 Donnie met Donna Marie Ringhiser and their fun, wild and ever growing love story began. They married in 1980 and continued their family. Donnie worked for the City of Columbus in the Water Department for over 34 years, retiring in 2018. Donnie also owned and operated A1 blacktop, which he operated for numerous years. He started with just a bucket and a broom and grew the business into his own two man operation. Donnie continued to seal until he no longer physically could. He loved to be busy and to call him a workaholic would be an understatement.
Donnie and Donna lived most of their lives in Columbus and were members of St. James the Less church where they were heavily involved in everything from Athletic Boosters to volunteering in classrooms. As helpful parents they were essential to the success of the summer festival for many years while their children were students there. As the kids grew they then moved on to volunteering at St. Francis DeSales. In 1999 they made the move to Delaware and became members of the St. Mary Catholic Church. Donnie and Donna enjoyed the history of St. Mary's and also enjoyed attending mass at St. John Neuman in Sunbury, and St. Thomas Moore at The Ohio State University on occasion. Donnie was a member of the Charity Newsies and Alpha Club of Columbus. These organizations help to ensure kids always had clothes for school and families had Christmas gifts to give their families.
Donnie had a strong love for the game of basketball. He was a well respected High School and College Basketball referee for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the NCAA, BIG TEN, MAC, Big East, WBNA Quest, among others. He was also a OHSA Pro-Temp Treasurer. Two of his proudest accomplishments was being chosen to referee the NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament in 20 and being inducted into The OHSAA Basketball Hall of Fame as a referee in 2020.
Donnie is survived by his wife of 46 years Donna Ringhiser; children Cory (Mary) Huston and Tara (Mason) Shelby; grandchildren Judson (Stefanie) Huston, Rocco Huston, Kale Shelby, Marin Shelby; great-granddaughter Poppy Huston, and one on the way; sisters Sharon Pentz(Dave) and Carolyn Green-Anders (Joe); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and older brother John Green.
Donnie was all about spending time with his family when he wasn't working. He loved attending all of the kids and grandkids sporting events. Taking vacations as a whole family was very important to him as well. Traveling to Florida, Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas were a few of his favorite places. To say that Donnie was an Ohio State Fan would be an understatement, "fanatic" would be more appropriate. Woody Hayes was the man right behind "the Big Guy". Donnie enjoyed having a Columbus Dispatch subscription, even if it was just to read the obituaries, but he managed to attend most of the services for people that he knew, which was a lot. He enjoyed a simple piece of chocolate, and a cold bottle of Bud Light but never draft.
A Mass of Celebration Honoring Donnie's life will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 83 East William Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015.
Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.