Donald Harold Overstrom

Donald Harold Overstrom, age 84 Painted Post, NY died on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Donald was born on June 28, 1939, in Corning, NY to Ralph and Julia (Andersen) Overstrom. He was part of a large family with 9 siblings, that included two sets of twins and a set of triplets!
He married Marlene (Marty) Hakes Overstrom on August 12, 1978, in Savona, NY.
Don was the third generation of his family to work for Corning Incorporated retiring as an electrician with 37 years of active service retiring June 26, 1996. He started his career in high school setting pins in Cornings Clubhouse bowling alley. He got a taste for earning money and quit school to go to work in a hand shop for Corning. At the time, hand shops were organized by the ethnicity of workers since the workers could not speak each others language. This led to family dominated hand shops. Dons father and uncles urged him to return to school but he refused. So, they assigned him every dirty, undesirable job in the shop. It didnt take long doing this type of work to convinced him to return to school. Don graduated from Northside High School in 1959. Don was an athlete in high school, lettering in track and football and was an avid golfer as an adult.
After high school he began working in a laboratory mixing decorative paints for Corningware. At the urging of his father, he eventually bid into the electrical apprentice program. He completed his apprenticeship through Corning Glass Works and graduated at the top of his class in 1968.
Don received many quality and safety awards along with performance recognitions during his career. He was regarded as a dedicated worker and excelled in his trade. Don was frequently requested, by scientists and engineers, due to his technical performance. Don was very proud of his familys heritage and connection to Corning.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop and making furniture and crafts for his family and friends.
Above all, Don enjoyed working in his trade, and did so in the community for many years following his retirement. He especially enjoyed doing electrical jobs with his son, and they bonded closely through their work.
Don was energetic, had a playful sense of humor, was fun-loving and the life-of-the-party. He enjoyed telling stories about his youthful antics, and his experiences working for Corning.
Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Marlene (Marty) Overstrom of Painted Post; son, Gregory (Tammy) Overstrom of Painted Post, NY; daughters: Wendy (Arthur) Muller of Lindley, NY, Dee (Randy) Hill of Lindley, NY; grandchildren: Krista Powers, Jodie Overstrom, Joel (Laura) Overstrom, Jordan Golliver & Meggan Driscoll, Mathias (Tessa) Golliver, Samantha Neally & Chad Lockhart, Gabe (Krystian) Taft, Ryan Pruden & Abby Nowakowski, Dylan (Becky) Hill; great grandchildren: Ava & Will Powers, Eli Golliver, Shelby Golliver, Damien Neally, Taylor, Adrianna, Ryan Jr. Jayce Pruden; sisters:, Norma Scott and Nora Miller.
In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by his brothers: Arthur, Frank, Loren, Leon and Norman; and his twin sister, Dorothy Watson.
In accordance with Dons wishes, there will be no funeral service the family will have a celebration of life in the spring. Carpenter's Funeral Home, 14 E. Pulteney St., Corning, NY has been entrusted with Don's care.
The family would like to acknowledge a special THANK YOU to the staff of Care First of NY. They were caring and compassionate and guided us through the entire process. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald Harold Overstrom, please visit our Tree Store.