Donald Richard Trost

View Tribute VideoDonald Richard Trost, 89, went to Heaven on January 17, 2019.

Born in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, he was the son of the late Vern and Eva Trost. He was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister. Don is survived by his loving wife, Joan, of 66 ½ years, son Steven (Robyn), son Stan, daughter Sylvia Good (Don), grandchildren Jesse Trost (Ashley), Ben Trost (Casey), Jeremy Trost, Joy Shull (Robbie), Josh Trost, Brooke Unruh (Kyle), Kyle Good, and Lauren Good, great-grandchildren Cherish Trost, Wyatt Trost, and Crosby Shull, and sister Doris Trost.

He taught science, mathematics and electronics for 21 years, followed by two years as Trade and Industrial Supervisor in Lima, Ohio. He then became Director of Education at Apollo Joint Vocational School, serving 17 years. After retiring, he and Joan moved to Lynchburg.

Don was always helping others, applying his building, electrical and plumbing experience, whether it was making or fixing things for others, or his Christian service. He was a deacon and youth leader for many years in Ohio. In Lynchburg, he and Joan led “Young At Heart” Seniors Ministry at Heritage Baptist, worked on various S.O.W.E.R.S. missions trips and an Indian Reservation mission. His perseverance, sense of humor, hard work, and loving involvement in the lives of all his family and friends will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be held at Heritage Baptist Church Chapel at 1:00 Saturday, January 26th. Visitation will be 6:30-8:30 Friday, January 25th, at Tharp Funeral Home and one hour preceding the service on Saturday at Heritage Baptist Chapel.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.

Tributes to Donald Trost from his Loving Wife, Children, and Grandchildren

Joan Trost (wife/mother/grandma) ~

“If he’d lived another thousand years, I still wouldn’t have been ready to let him go.”

-Many times Don would tell Joan that he was “sorry”-meaning his time was coming to leave.

Steve Trost (son) ~

He was the greatest man we’ve ever known-husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. And he was loved tremendously.

He left a hole in our family the size of a freight train.

The night before he passed, he suddenly asked, “Where’s my house?” He was looking for his Heavenly home.

Though death is never easy, God’s timing was evident. The family was able to all be at his side. He left peacefully. Dr. Kroll and Pastor Del Laird arrived less than 30 minutes later, not knowing he had just passed.

Robyn Trost (daughter-in-law) ~

Several years ago, in 2015, I met the man who would become my father-in-law in 2016. Little did I know just how much he would accept me into his family and love me as though I were his daughter. Meals together on Sunday afternoons, birthdays, holidays and anytime in between, was time to spend in the presence of this man.

When I had the honor of becoming a part of the Trost family, Pa had already had a stroke and was unable to walk without his walker. I did not know him at his very best, but I saw determination and strength that I admired. He never wanted help to or from the dinner table. If you asked if he needed anything, most of the time the answer was, “no” before you finished your question. He was very independent, very loving and very much loved.

One of my fondest memories was one of the first times at the home with them on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. Steve’s mom always referred to him as “Paul” (or so I thought). I was looking through their church directory that day and came to their picture. I saw it said Donald and Joan.  I looked at them and asked, “Why does it say Donald in the directory and you call him Paul??”  Belly laughs erupted, he and she lovingly referred to one another as “Ma and Pa”. From that day on, many times he would sign cards as Pa(ul). s very best, but I saw determination and strength that I admired. He never wanted help to or from the dinner table. If you asked if he needed anything, most of the time the answer was, “no” before you finished your question. He was very independent, very loving and very much loved.

Another special moment was of him driving us around the church in the Nova the day we married. He looked so forward to being our chauffeur because he had not been able to drive for quite a while. The picture below shows just how happy he was.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, friend and Pa(ul) and I will be forever thankful for the time that I was a part of his family. From Day 1, until his last day on earth, he loved me and I know I loved him.

Thank you for the love for your wife for 66 1/2 years.  I am so blessed and thankful for that gift that you passed on, by example, to your son. Thank you for jokes, conversations and acceptance. Thank you for the privilege of letting me call you Pa(ul).

You will be missed and will remain loved forever.

Stan Trost (son) ~

Dad was a power source to me and a role model to me- the greatest man I ever knew. I’ll always cherish his love…his instruction…his support…and the things we did together…I love you Dad…and thank you sooo much!

Sylvia Good (daughter) ~

Dear Daddy,

A million thoughts and memories…I always admired you and was proud of you. You were my stronghold, leader, protector, and comforter through all of life’s storms. You taught me to work hard, do my best, and follow God. You seemed to be able to do, fix, or make anything.

Above all, you loved and believed in me. Thank you for all you gave and for fighting so long to hold on for all of us. I am so blessed to have had you for my dad. I miss you so much…and can’t wait to be with you again in heaven.

I love you Dad,

Sylvia

P.S. On the way to the way to the hospital this time, the end of “I can only Imagine” was on the radio when I turned it on and I quickly changed it…but the next station was just starting the song…so I listened to its entirety knowing God wanted me to…I knew He was preparing me…to let you go…for now…

Don Good (son-in-law) ~

Don Trost was my father-in-law. He was a great example of a Godly husband, father, and grandfather. Dad and mom REALLY were each other’s best friends.

His God and his family were really his 2 hobbies, followed by work.

He worked hard as a teacher, vocational school administrator, maintaining and improving his home and yard.

He literally built the first 2 homes he and mom lived in. She worked right along with him, he told me she carried block for the basement at 5 months pregnant!

I learned a great amount from him about fixing cars, my home, plumbing, electrical. If I called to ask for so information, many times he would come over to help without being asked.

One winter while I was on vacation in between Christmas and New Years, he spent almost 2 days helping me pull out the dashboard of our car and replace the heater core in our car. Thank God Dad had a 2 car garage in northern Ohio.

He did electrical wiring on the Heritage Baptist Church missionary homes, during the construction, about every day as though it were his full time job.

There wasn’t a lazy bone in his body, and struggling with mobility the last 4 1/2 years really bothered him.

We will miss you dad.

Jesse & Ashley Trost (grandson & granddaughter-in-law) ~

I love and miss you.

I had the pleasure of knowing this man for 11 years and he always welcomed me with open arms. He was very loved and will be greatly missed.

Ben Trost (grandson) ~

We lost a great man. Grandpa was the most easygoing, loving, hardworking, and intelligent person I have ever met. I know he made a positive impact on a countless number of people including all of us. If you were to ask someone what they remember best about him it wouldn’t be about the car he drove, the money he made, or the job he worked. It would be his character, helping others, and fixing anything without YouTube. He never missed a get together or special event. He spent hours sniping squirrels that tried to eat out of grandma’s bird feeder, but above all else he loved his family.

He was married to grandma 66 years which is something you just don’t see anymore. I’m thankful for the 30 years of memories grandpa, I love you, and you will be missed…My uncle said it best “ He wasn’t a big man, It wasn’t the size of his muscles, it was the size of his heart”

Brooke Unruh (granddaughter) ~

Heaven gained a wonderful angel. My grandpa was the best there ever was. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren so very much and took a genuine interest in everything that we were all up to.

Grandpa was present for all of my life’s big moments and small ones too. Grandpa never missed an opportunity to support me at sporting events, choir performances, birthday parties, graduations, etc. The best birthday parties were always at my grandparents’ house; grandpa would build a bonfire for me and my friends and drive us around for a hayride. I have countless memories of snow days, sleepovers, and playing hide-and- seek with my cousins at my grandparents’ house.

Grandpa spent hours helping me build a pendulum for a 6th grade science project. His mind was always very sharp, especially when it came to math, science, and how to fix anything. Grandpa was a very hard worker and would help anyone at any time. I miss his sense of humor and his jokes.

Above all else, what has always stuck out to me the most is grandpa’s love for my grandma. When my Husband Kyle and I were still dating, he told me that he wanted us to have a marriage like grandma and grandpa’s. Grandpa and grandma were married for 66 ½ years because God was at the center of their marriage.

The last few days, grandpa’s life has made me reflect on the way I live my life in a different way and has especially reminded me that earth is only our temporary home and heaven is our eternal home. The loss of my grandpa has given me a burden for those who do not believe in God. I cannot imagine going through this with no hope that I would ever see my grandpa again. I have so much comfort knowing that he is happier than he has ever been, with a perfect body, in heaven, his eternal home.

“What would it be like when my pain is gone and all the worries of this world just fade away? What will it be like when You call my name and the moment when I see You face to face? I’m waiting my whole life to hear You say: Well done, well done My good and faithful one, welcome to the place where you belong. Well done, well done, My beloved child, you have run the race and now you’re home. Welcome to the place where you belong.” – “Well Done” by The Afters

Jeremy Trost (grandson) ~

Grandpa

Selfless, humble, hard-working, kind, respectful, caring, tenacious, provider, Man of God—words and actions embodied by my grandfather in a way that I have never witnessed before in any other man. Grandpa was the unspoken hero I always looked up to and tried to model my life after. Ever since I was a kid, I aspired to have a marriage like his—one that lasted a lifetime, one where his love and care for one woman, my Grandma, never changed or faded in the nearly 7 decades they were together.

I never heard Grandpa complain, never heard him boast about himself or his accomplishments, and hardly ever saw him not working on something around the house…even if he shouldn’t have been up on that ladder hanging Christmas lights or trying to mow the lawn shortly after being discharged from the hospital. Grandpa was a tough one and always insisted on doing everything himself. Even when he was too weak to walk anymore, he still refused to let anyone help him get up out of his chair or help him around the house.

My younger years with Grandpa were a blur of priceless memories filled with camping, sledding, storytelling, corny jokes, and countless Sunday afternoon lunches and family get-togethers. In 2014, I moved to North Carolina and missed out on numerous family gatherings, Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthday parties, and precious time I could have spent with my Grandpa. For almost 4 years, my occasional and brief visits gave me snapshots of his declining health. As time passed, his body became increasingly weaker and he continued to experience more pain, but he never showed it. Every time I would come to visit, he was always happy to see me and always acted the same.

As time went on and Grandpa’s health continued to decline, I felt an overwhelming need to return home to spend time with him. After a series of heart attacks and strokes, he was only given a few months to live. But Grandpa never gave up. He fought as long and hard as he could to be with us just a little while longer. His heart was failing, but his mind was just as sharp as it had always been and the love he showed his family never changed.

I finally gave up my job and moved back home to spend what little time I had left with him. I knew that he was on borrowed time, but we picked up right where we left off. I got to enjoy Grandpa’s overwhelming love, quick wit, and great sense of humor for two Thanksgivings, Christmases, and birthdays. I selfishly hoped that he could have stayed with us long enough to be a part of my wedding since he was the man that set the greatest example of love and marriage that I have ever seen. But God had other plans.

I regret that I didn’t visit more, that I didn’t spend more time with him before he left this world, but I am thankful that I got to be a part of the last year of his life. In that year I learned a lot about my Grandpa. I learned how strong the power of prayer was, I learned that his faith and love for the Lord was stronger than any pain he experienced, I learned that there was no obstacle he couldn’t overcome, and I saw that his love for my Grandma and family was greater than his failing heart could ever contain. The example my Grandpa set for my family was the most extraordinary display of faith and love this world had to offer.

As his heart fought for every last beat and his lungs gasped for air, the last words my Grandpa whispered were, “I love you so much”.

When he took his last breath and his time on this earth expired, I know the Lord was waiting for him with open arms. I know he was ready, but the rest of us weren’t. I’m grateful that he went peacefully and without pain when his work on earth was done.

When Grandpa passed, he left a void in our family that can only be filled with the memory of a tremendous Man of God who knew only faith, perseverance, and love, not fear.  I found out that Grandpa prayed for me every single day that I was in North Carolina, that God would protect me and keep me safe so that I could return to spend those precious remaining moments with him. Through him, God showed me the most profound love—unmatched by any other force this world has to offer.

I am eternally grateful that God allowed me to be a part of his life as the final page of his book was written. Earth lost his soul, but heaven gained an angel. I love you Grandpa, and I can’t wait to see you again.

Kyle Good (grandson) ~

I want to take a moment to tell about the best grandpa there ever was…

My grandpa was born at the start of the Great Depression in 1929, which is probably what helped shape him into one of the hardest working and most well rounded people I have ever known. We recently celebrated his 89th birthday, and I have no doubt he lived the long, blessed life that he did because he kept God at the center of it.

I’ll always remember Grandpa’s humble spirit, easy going personality, and perfectly timed jokes. He charmed everyone he was around, but he loved and kept his family first. This past June, he and my grandma celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage. They were the perfect powerhouse team and are relationship goals!

As I was growing up, Grandpa was always one of my biggest supporters, and I’m so thankful to have had him for the first 26 years of my life. He and my grandma never missed a single birthday party, school play, soccer game, choir performance – you name it.

I have so many fond memories with them – playing hide and seek at their house, having sleepovers with all of the cousins, bonfires, exploring in the woods, sledding in the snow, going to the zoo, camping, and spending time with the whole family together for holidays.

Things will never be the same without him. I can only imagine how difficult the journey ahead will be for my grandma after all the years they’ve spent together, but God is still good. Please keep her, my mom, uncles, and the rest of our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Our hearts are heavy, but it brings us great peace to know that Grandpa is rejoicing in paradise now. He has a brand new body, and he never has to suffer again.

I can’t wait to see him again someday and catch up where we left off. Until then, I’ll continue to miss his joyful presence, fun stories from when he was young, and hearing what Dennis the Menace has been up to.

Love you, Grandpa. “Heaven couldn’t wait for you.”

Joy Shull (granddaughter) ~

I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet that my grandpa is gone. He always seemed larger than life, and to think that I won’t see him every time we gather as a family – I just can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not good with words and it seems so hard to find the right thing to say. I find myself checking the living room to say hi to him when I came over the last few days out of habit. Anyone that knew my grandpa knew what a wonderful man he was. There are many things I could say, but what sticks out to me most right now is the way my dad looked up to him. Growing up, I was a daddy’s girl through and through. The man that I looked up to was looking up to his dad the way I did to him.

My grandpa was my dad’s hero. If I had a dime for every glowing story my dad told of his dad, I would be a millionaire. Grandpa always kept us smiling with his Dennis the Menace jokes, and my dad definitely got that sense of humor from him. Even when his health was failing, dad would always rave about how wonderful he was doing and the jokes and conversations that they had. I will always be thankful that I was there for his last birthday and Christmas just weeks ago.  I’m so glad that grandpa moved to Lynchburg and was such a big part of my life growing up. I’ll never forget the sleepovers, the snow days, and all the time spent at grandma and grandpa’s with all the family. His love for my grandma was a tribute in itself and they were married 66 ½ years. I think the way a person is missed after they are gone speaks volumes about the kind of person they were, and there are so many people that are hurting right now from this loss.

“Don’t think of him as gone away

his journey’s just begun,

life holds so many facets

this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting

from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort

where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing

that we could know today

how nothing but our sadness

can really pass away.

And think of him as living

in the hearts of those he touched…

for nothing loved is ever lost

and he was loved so much.”

– Ellen Brenneman

Lauren Good (granddaughter) ~

It just doesn’t seem real that you’re gone. While we knew you were more than ready to meet Jesus and get that long awaited brand new body, I only wish I could have been able to fully say goodbye, but God’s timing is perfect.  As much as I wish you never had to be in the hospital, I always wished that if you did have to be there that I could be your nurse someday. It was truly the greatest honor to “be your nurse” and help take care of you your last days on this earth. And you will never know how much your last words “I love you-so much” mean to me.

You always made me feel special. You were always asking about me and interested in knowing what was going on in my life regardless of how difficult of a day, week, or year you were having. I could come over after a hard day in nursing school or at work and you’d cheer me right up with one of your corny jokes. You took my beginner level of nursing knowledge as if I were an expert, made me feel smart, and helped build my confidence which was basically non-existent as a brand new nurse.

You were the smartest, most humble, kind, witty, big-hearted man I know. You were such a giver. You gave of your wealth of knowledge whenever someone had a question about, well, just about anything, and you then gave of your time to help with whatever the case.  You gave of your love to the Lord through your faithful time spent with Him daily, being taught His Word in church, and serving Him through missions.  You gave of your love to your family in every way a father, grandfather, and husband could. You gave of your love to your children through pointing them to God, always being there for them, and loving their mother so well. I just know you were an amazing father because of how highly all 3 of your children have always spoken of you. You gave of your love to us grandkids through playing games with us, taking us on tractor rides, letting us have birthday parties with crazy kids at your beautiful house and built bonfires for them, taking us on camping trips, and letting us have sleepovers at your house despite us being up late and I’m sure being way too loud. You never missed an event in my life; if you were physically able to make it, you were there, and it meant the world to me. (I’ll save a seat for you at my wedding someday because I know you wouldn’t miss it for the world.)  And oh how you gave of your love to your wife for 66 and 1/2 years….. through working hard to provide for her, making sure your home was just the way she wanted it inside and out, rubbing her feet most nights (even if you eventually started to fall asleep in the first few minutes), taking care of her when she was sick, and leading her spiritually on a daily basis for all those years.

My favorite memories with you were by far you telling stories about when you and grandma met and were newly dating. You remembered every detail like it was yesterday and I love how your face would still light up when you talked about it 66 and 1/2 years later. I remember the story of your first date when you told her to slow down and walk like a lady, because she was walking so fast!  Another was when we asked how you proposed to her, and Grandma said, “He never did!” and you responded “Well I figured there was no use wasting words, so I just put the ring on her finger and that was that.” You two always made me laugh! Your love is such a wonderful example of how marriage is meant to be.

The day you went to be with Jesus, grandma said “a thousand years and I still wouldn’t have been ready.” I told grandma you two truly were one. And she said “Yes, so the other half of me is missing.” Our lives will never be the same. I miss you and I miss hearing “Love you, sweetie” already, but God has given me so much peace and joy, knowing you couldn’t have been more ready to be with Jesus and that you are doing all the things you have been wishing you could do for a while with that brand new body.

I love you-so much.

“See ya later, alligator”

Josh Trost (grandson) ~

“God saw him getting tired,

and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around him and whispered,

‘Come to Me’.

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer,

and saw him slowly fade away. Although we loved him dearly,

we could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

hard working hands put to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.”

– by Frances and Kathleen Coelho

That’s exactly what you were Grandpa. Since I was young I could see the love that you had for God and for our family. You always took such a big interest in my life. You would always ask me about school or work or how basketball was going. I remember when you and Grandma used to come to my basketball games and go camping with Dad and me. I remember playing hundreds of pool games with you and when you used to help me carve out presents for Dad in your workshop. Despite living so far away from you my whole life, we had a bond that was so close. I remember how hard it hit me when I woke up to that text from Dad Wednesday morning. Driving out there after work Wednesday night all I could think was, “God please let me get there in time”. When I got there you had been on morphine the whole day and asleep for so long that I doubted you would notice I was there. I took your hands, looked at you and said, “I love you Grandpa”. And for a split second you opened your eyes and looked into mine. We spent the night at the hospital and Dad woke me at 6:30 the next morning to tell me that you had stopped breathing. I rushed back into the room where your wife and children were and we all huddled around the bed until your heart stopped beating. It was a privilege to have spent your last living moments on this earth with you before you ascended into Heaven, and it is something that I will never forget. I know that you are looking down smiling and watching over us now. I hope to make you proud throughout the rest of my life and I look forward to the day we meet again where we don’t live so far apart. You’re in my heart, my thoughts, and my life, always. I love you Grandpa.

 

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