Donald Edward Badorf

Donald Edward Badorf was born April 15, 1932, and passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 92. He was the son of Nathaniel S. Badorf and Thelma (Huber) Badorf. 

Don graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1950 where he was Student Council President; and he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation he attended Dickinson College. Don continued participating in sports by pitching for Mechanicsburg in the West Shore Twilight League and playing basketball for the Trindle Spring Lutheran Church team that won over 70 consecutive games.

Don worked for Ritter’s Hardware full time until entering the construction field in 1952 as an apprentice carpenter, graduating into a foreman position with Ritter Brothers Construction. While there some of his jobs included the building of East Pennsboro High School, a 19-story townhouse apartment building and the 12 story Jackson Lick apartments. Don’s career in construction continued as a superintendent of construction on many projects in Central Pennsylvania while working with Spera Construction Company. Some of which were Knouse Foods Processing Plant in Orrtanna, Lancaster Catholic High School and Athletic Field complex, Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters Building on 7th Street in Harrisburg, and Korvettes in Camp Hill. 

From 1973 to 1976 Don joined friend Don Mentzer to build custom and speculative houses. Don was lured back into commercial construction by Spera Construction where he supervised the building of the sports complex at Susquehanna University. Don then started his employment as a superintendent with the construction firm of H. B. Alexander & Son, where he supervised work in the Hershey Food Plant. In 1981 he was promoted to Project Manager and managed many multi story elderly housing projects, some as far away as Reading, Easton, and Oakmont near Pittsburgh. He managed three projects at Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant, four projects at TMI, new buildings at the Camp Hill Prison and foundation and concrete work for the addition to the Capitol Building including the under pinning of the East wings. 

Don was a member of Trinity Global Methodist Church in New Kingstown where he served as Trustee, Building and SPRC Committees and usher.

Don loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and videoing deer, bears, and turkeys in Potter County. With friend, Don Mentzer and their wives, they purchased a farm in Potter County where they raised Christmas trees. 

In the early 1980s Don partnered with his former wife June Badorf, and family to raise Christmas trees on their farm in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County.

Don was a member of the Mechanicsburg Sportsman Club and was asked by Bill Ritter and Boyd Fortney to accompany them to evaluate a property near Wertzville for the Club to purchase. The land was purchased and is still the property of the Club today.

Don became a volunteer member for the Cumberland County Appalachian Trail Club where he served as Treasurer, Membership Chair, Director and trail maintainer. He did maintenance on the trail until recently and was recognized for 25 years of service. He was a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, NRA, Carlisle Fish and Game Association, Joseph T. Simpson Library, and an avid follower of Penn State Nittany Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers football teams. 

Don is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Badorf; children Dean Badorf (Wendy), Jan Smollinger (Carl), Keith Badorf (Sherry), Mark Badorf (Kim), Myra Badorf and Karen Badorf-England (Hal). His grandchildren: Lauren, Lance, Logan, Bree, Marie, Heather, Amy, Karley, Suzy, and Sarah. Eight great grandchildren: Madison, Maxam, Charli, Jackson, Brynn, Bria, Brielle, and Emery. His sister Betty Warren, along with many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his former wife, June Badorf; son Forrest Badorf; sister Virginia Keet and brothers-in-law, Richard Keet and Robert Warren.

A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Global Methodist Church, 4 W. Main St., New Kingstown on Tuesday, February 18. Visitation will start at 10:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his church Trinity Global Methodist Church, 4 W. Main St., New Kingstown, PA 17072, Attn: The Trustees Fund or Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trial Conservancy (CVATC), P.O. Box 395, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Arrangements are being handled by HollingerFuneralHome.com to offer condolences to the family.