Donald Edward Holtz, 92

Donald Edward Holtz, age 92, of Summertown, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Emanuel Medical Center. Funeral services were held. Saturday, August 8, at 2 p.m. at Calvary Methodist Church with Reverend Tom Tidwell officiating. Interment followed in Sardis Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Family received friends one hour prior to services.

Donald was born November 22, 1933, in Erin Township, Michigan, to the late Edward Carl Holtz and Ruth Virginia Baker Holtz. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from June 1953 until 1957 as a flight deck aircraft serviceman. During his military service, Donald was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida and served aboard aircraft carriers, traveling extensively throughout his enlistment. It was while he was stationed in Jacksonville that he met the love of his life, Joanne Screws, at an American Legion dance in 1956—a chance meeting that began a lifetime of fun, love, and devotion.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Donald worked in the tool and die industry. In 1972, he and his family returned to Emanuel County, where he continued his career in machine work with Midville Tool & Die. Donald retired in 1997, which finally gave him and Joanne the time to enjoy traveling across the country together, making precious and irreplaceable memories.

A gifted carpenter, Donald loved working with his hands and could build or repair almost anything from tables, chairs, and bookshelves to standing structures like barns and sheds. He found great satisfaction in creating projects for family and friends, and his craftsmanship reflected both his skill, patience, attention to detail, and passion for the craft.

Donald also had a lifelong love for University of Georgia athletics. A die hard and “bleeding Red and Black” Georgia Bulldogs fan, he and Joanne were proud season ticket holders for twenty-plus years and rarely missed the opportunity to cheer on the Dawgs. Whether watching a game, traveling to away games, or simply spending time with those he loved most, family was always at the center of Donald’s life. Mr. Holtz is preceded in death by his parents; and beloved sister, Mary Louise Horn.

Mr. Holtz is survived by his loving wife, Joanne Holtz of Summertown; son, John Holtz (Allison) of Jacksonville, Florida; along with extended family and many dear friends who will cherish his memory.

Donald will be remembered for his contagious laughter, his mischievous sense of humor, his strength of character, his unwavering work ethic, and deep love for his family, his country, and the Georgia Bulldogs. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the things he built, and the memories he leaves behind.

The family will forever treasure the love, guidance, and examples for how to live a life worthy of emulation that he set throughout his remarkable life.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.