Donald Edward Lasher

Donald met the love of his life, Eva, at a skating rink when they were teenagers. They married on February 2, 1952, and celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this year.

Donald attended Bosse High School for three years before graduating from Mechanic Arts School in 1949, where he specialized in drafting. After briefly enlisting in the Navy, he began his career in 1950 as a steel detailer at Mesker Steel in Evansville. His career took him to the Los Angeles, CA area, where he worked for Production Steel from 1956 to 1959. He returned to Evansville to work at Wilkie Engineering, dedicating nearly three decades to his craft before retiring as co-owner in 1988. Among his professional accomplishments, he completed the shop drawings for the design of the famous 26-story Sunsphere, which was erected as the symbol of the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair and remains standing today.

In 1960, Donald designed and built a home on ten wooded acres, where he and Eva would raise their three children. With the exception of plumbing, electric, and heating, he single-handedly constructed the home on Hillview Drive in just six weeks while simultaneously working full-time. He took immense pride in his craftsmanship, continually remodeling the home and enhancing the property over the years. He maintained a beautiful garden and always had a project in the works.

A longtime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ German Township, Donald cherished his faith, family, and community. He will be fondly remembered for his good nature, quick wit, dedication, and ingenuity.

Donald is survived by his devoted wife, Eva Lasher; children, Mike (Cheryl) Lasher, Pam (Chris) Gerlach, and Beth (Jeff) Schimmel; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Strawhacker, Matt Lasher, Katie Luigs, Jenna Gerlach (Lance Flener), Cameron Schimmel (Kaitie White), and Luke Schimmel (Shelby Maxwell); seven great-grandchildren; brother, Eugene (Karen) Lasher; and sister-in-law, Ruth Hiskey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, Edwin and Fern Hawks; brothers, Russell (Anna Mae) Lasher and Leo (Sharon) Lasher; sisters, Bettye (Billy) Elwood and Mary Katherine (Bill) Worman; sisters-in-law, Marjorie James and Carol (Jack) Yirga; brother-in-law, Bob Hiskey; and grandson-in-law, Jarrod Luigs.

Donald’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice and North River Health Campus for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be held at St. Paul’s UCC German Township on Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will take place immediately afterward in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Donald can be sent to St. Paul’s UCC German Township, 8701 Big Cynthiana Road, Evansville, IN.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.