Longtime Hillsboro business icon Don Fender passes away

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Longtime Hillsboro Realtor and community leader Donald E. Fender Jr. passed away on July 4, 2023.

He was 85.

Mr. Fender owned and operated Donald E. Fender, Inc., Realtors for many years. The local real estate company has been in business for 75 years.

"It is with great sadness to let the community know that on Tuesday evening, July 4, Don Fender passed away. The staff and associates of Donald E. Fender, Inc. Realtors respectfully welcome our community to join in prayers for the family," the company said in a statement Wednesday morning. 

According to Joe Bryan, "In 1948, Donald E. Fender Sr. started his real estate business. Donald Fender Jr. became a licensed realtor in 1958 and took over the business. Don highly succeeded in all he participated in, including being Past President of the Ohio Realtors Association, representing the entire state of Ohio in the real estate industry. Don sold the business in 2004 and continued in an advisory position for many years."

Mr. Fender was very active in the community, serving on numerous boards for several organizations. He was on the Merchants National Bank Board of Directors for many years. He also was a member of the Highland District Hospital Legacy Society for his many contributions to the HDH Foundation.

"Don had been active in the Hillsboro Rotary Club and the Methodist Church in Hillsboro," Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss told The Highland County Press. Don was very supportive of various civic organizations in the community. He was always a solid, calm presence in any group. His comments were measured and always spot-on. He served in leadership roles for Merchants National Bank's Board of Directors and others. He was a very fine man." 

"Don was a pillar of the community," Highland County Commission President Terry Britton said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
   
"Don has done a lot for the community and Highland County, and he did so without asking for credit or recognition for it," Commissioner David Daniels said.

"Don Fender was the first person I ever met in Highland County," said Highland County Press office manager Rosemary Ryan. "In the late 1960s, we were looking for a house in Highland County. Don met us on a Sunday in his office above the old Farmers & Traders Bank in Hillsboro. Don had a property in mind, and he had Jerry Pruitt meet us in Fairfax. Thanks to Don, we bought our first home in Highland County. I always enjoyed working with Don through my late husband's surveying business."

Visitation is scheduled for noon Saturday, July 8 at Hillsboro Global Methodist Church, 133 East Walnut Street, Hillsboro. Services will follow visitation with Dr. Derek Russell officiating. 

The Rhoads-Edgington Funeral Home in Hillsboro is serving the family.   

For more information, visit https://www.edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.