Donald Allen Resener

Donald Allen Resener, 87, of Franklin, IN, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2023. Don was born on January 31, 1936, in Beech Grove, IN, to Irvin C. and Ruth (Jackson) Resener.  Don graduated from Southport High School in 1955, where he was a manager on the basketball team and played baseball, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana Central University in 1959.

Upon graduation from Indiana Central, Don worked with his father at Resener Machine & Tool and later became an owner of this tool & die machine shop business. Don founded the Fountain Square Antique Mall with his wife Jewell and later worked at the Exit 76 Antique Mall.

Don is survived by his sons Ricky A. Resener (Zoya Volodarsky) and Michael W. Resener (Kim Hendren), grandchildren Megan F. Resener, Peter W. Resener, John H. Resener, Yan Volodarsky, and sister Barbara Hazelwood.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Jewell (Meeks) Resener, cherished daughter Vicki J. Resener, sisters Norma Jean Evans and Shirley Ann Smeltzer, brother Kenneth L. Resener, and parents Irvin C. and Ruth Resener.

Don lived most of his life in Perry Township on the Southside of Indianapolis and was an ardent supporter of his alma mater, Southport High School, and his sons’ alma mater Perry Meridian High School. He always attended his son’s sporting events. Don enjoyed attending PMHS football and basketball games, even rooting against Southport. He was also an avid Indiana University Men’s Basketball Team fan.

Don had a tremendous impact on many youths and families as a Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 545, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 545, Sponsor of Explorer Post 545, a leader of the Christ United Methodist Church Methodist Youth Fellowship Program, and coaching several basketball teams at the Baxter YMCA and baseball teams at Southport Little League. Fifty young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout during Don’s tenure as the Scoutmaster of Troop 545. Don was a faithful servant leader; he provided the tools to grow, learn and succeed, but he never sought out the spotlight and was prouder of other’s achievements than his role as a leader and mentor. He continued to stay in contact with the youth and families that he served until his final days. Don’s impact and legacy to youths and families cannot be measured. His legacy continues to live on through the lives of the youth and families he touched as a volunteer leader.

Don never sought out recognition but was honored by the Boy Scouts of America Crossroads of America Council with the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of rendering service of an outstanding nature and impacting the lives of youth. He was also awarded the Service to Mankind Award by the Sertoma Club and the Service to Community Recognition by the Greater Southside, Inc. He never talked openly of these recognitions and was humbled by the attention.

In his later life, Don became a Facebook friend, supporter, and cheerleader to hundreds. He enjoyed sending notes and random messages to his Facebook family. If you knew him on Facebook, you weren’t just a contact but a friend he shared joy with and often ended his notes with his tagline, “Many Blessings.”

The true essence of Don shines through in the many sentiments shared since he passed. He’s remembered as loving, kind, gentle, generous, caring, humble, joyful, sweet, funny, family-oriented, hardworking, one of a kind, a true friend, and a gentleman. Youth that Don impacted have shared thoughts such as a great leader, you will always be my Scoutmaster, I’m a better man for having spent some time with him, a great Scoutmaster and an even better human, a wonderful man and mentor, a wonderful friend to so many PMHS grads, a great man who influenced many, he lives in all of us who were members of Troop 545 and Explorer Post 545, a man who lived the example of what he wanted us to learn, a father figure, he was always there when needed, influential in the lives of so many kids and families, and he passed along a powerful legacy that will continue.

In the loving words of Don, many blessings and much joy, my friends.

The family is holding a private graveside service. Don’s life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on October 14, 2023, at Christ United Methodist Church, 8450 U.S. 31 South, Indianapolis, IN 46227.

In lieu of flowers, Don’s family requests that gifts be made in his honor to the Boy Scouts of America Crossroads Council Scout Memorial & Tribute Fund. This endowment is established to ensure the continuity and opportunities of the Scouting Program. Donations with Don Resener in the memo can be mailed to Crossroads of America BSA, Attn: Victor George, 7125 Fall Creek Rd. N, Indianapolis, IN 46256.

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