Obituary of Donald William Edwin Hartwell
It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of William Donald Edwin Hartwell (Don as he was fondly known by) at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital - Perth Site, on Monday, January 12, 2026.
He was 85 years old.
Donald was an only child, born to William and Audrey Harwell and was their absolute pride and joy. He spent his early years growing up in Perth and in Smiths Falls where his mischievous personality was quick to develop much to the chagrin of his mother. His family moved to Toronto area when he was a young man. His first real job was that of a newspaper carrier for the Toronto Tribute which he loved. On one of his early birthdays, Don received an old “Brownie” camera. Photography turned out to be one of the greatest passions of his life and he was rarely seen without a camera wherever he went.
However, it was from attending a Billy Graham Crusade when he was 15 years old, that Don became a Christian and this day turned his life on a new course. He soon went off to Eastern Pentecostal Bible College where he met Margaret Lott. He found himself head over heels in love with her and they married in July of 1966. Their three children Yvonne (David), Steven, and Timothy (Junea) were soon to follow. Family life consisted of many road trips in one of Don’s big old vans, summers at the cottage at Cobourg Pentecostal Camp or camping a Stayner Missionary Camp.
Don soon came to be known as a man with a mission. Well, many missions actually. Over the course of his life, he spread his love for Christ and his love for helping people through his jobs at Bethel Home for Girls, Shepphard Lodge, and Teen Challenge, and
also through his many other missions. and also for many years in his volunteer roles working (often alongside his wife Margaret in their community of Colborne) in “Coats for Kids”, “The Place To Be” youth ministry, the creation of a new local chapter of Youth for Christ, Heavenbound & Stormcatcher Ministries, and through the many countless truckloads of donations that were collected, sorted and sent up to many indigenous communities in both the near and far north though “Hearts for Missions”.
When Don was not busy with one of his missions, he loved to spend time with his grandchildren Heather (Mike), Aidan (Hannah), Hilary, Gillian, Christel, Dannyel, William and Sadie, never missing their important life milestones. He took great pleasure in being silly with them and with throwing rules out the window when a little fun could be had. Don had the privilege of seeing and enjoying his first grandchild Wesley.
His easy-going personality and genuine interest in people helped him collect many friends along life’s way. This was especially evident as he came full circle as he returned to Perth for the final 4 years of his life where he was once again able to reconnect with old childhood friends and enjoy the company of many new ones from the churches heattended, the Keenagers club or those he met at The Table. Don was never without a good friend old or new, a cup of coffee and a mischievous grin.
All are invited to visit with the family at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore Street West, Perth, on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, January 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A funeral service will be held in the chapel at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Scotch Line Cemetery. All are welcome to attend a reception at the Blair & Son Reception Centre following the burial.
In honour of Donald, memorial contributions to the Table Food Bank, Perth, would be appreciated by the family.
