Donald F. Yager, 84, of Leeds passed away on May 10, 2026.

Whether you knew him as “The Chairman,” Don, Donnie, “The Duck” or Poppy, chances are you knew him. It appears everyone knew him.

Don was born in Oneida to his parents, Dorothy Loomis and Harold Yager. He grew up on his family farm with his younger siblings, Carol, Sharon, Donna, Patricia, Richard, and Brian.

At the age of 17, he joined the US Navy. He loved to tell stories of his time in the Navy, none of which are probably appropriate to retell here.

He was a master of all trades, from most notably working in a movie prop house in California in his younger years and later becoming an antique enthusiast and furniture restorer.  

Don also worked at Oren’s Furniture in Catskill, where he met the love of his life, Judy Winn. A short time after they met, they married and built their home in Leeds. There they raised two daughters, Shelley and Renee.

He was an expert in his craft of restoring chairs; so much so that people came from all over with their chairs. His claim to fame was restoring Ebbet’s Field benches for the Neiman Marcus Catalog.

You could always catch Don at a flea market, yard sale or antique store, wearing his blue flannel shirts that “brought out the color of his eyes”.

Don was predeceased by his wife Judy, his parents Dorothy Loomis and Harold Yager, his siblings, Brian Yager, Richard Yager and Patricia (Anderson), as well as granddaughters Allison and Megan Silliman.

He is survived by his daughters, Shelley Yager (Gregg Minshell), Renee Farrell (Brian) and Michele Silliman; his grandchildren, Jamie Dunn (Harry), Joshua Hoovler (Melissa), Makayla Passero (Michael), Alexander Yager (Lauren), Adam Schlosser, Callen and Charlotte Farrell, his siblings Carol Pittas, Sharon Babcock (Roger), Donna Halukiewicz (Richard), Tom Yager (Lori), and Todd Yager (Missy).

Many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

While he will be truly missed here on earth, we know that he and Judy are finally reunited and making up for lost time.

Family and friends may gather on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m. at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Hgts., Catskill. A service of remembrance will begin at 4 p.m. followed by military honors provided by the American Legion and US Navy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice, 47 Liberty St, Catskill, NY 12414, or Greene County Human Services (home delivery meals program), 411 Main St. Catskill, NY 12414.

Funeral arrangements under the care of Robert Gaus of Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, Catskill. Messages of condolence may be made to www.TraverMc.com.