Donald Jay Kelchner, Jr.

Donald Jay Kelchner, Jr., a true gentleman, 93, of Orangeville, passed away on March 24, 2026 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

He was born on February 1, 1933 in Fairmount Springs to the late Donald & Dorothy (Hunter) Kelchner.

Donald graduated from Bloomsburg High School, Class of 1951 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served 4 years in active duty and 34 years in the Air National Guard. During his military service he served a tour of duty in Korea during the war. Donald worked at the Orangeville Post Office for a total of 43 years where he served as the Postmaster for 32 of those years. He was a member of the Mainville Emmanuel Lutheran Church, was active with the Bloomsburg Fair for more than 50 years and was a 4-H Leader years ago.  Also, throughout his life he was a member of various organizations including the National Assoc. of Postmasters (NAPUS); a past commander of the Bloomsburg American Legion Post 273; Orangeville Oriental Lodge F&AM; Caldwell Consistory; Bloomsburg Elks, Moose, and V.F.W.; Orangeville Fire Co.; Orangeville Sportsmen Club; and most recently the Agency on Aging and the Columbia County Historical Society. He enjoyed traveling.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Shuman) Kelchner, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage; sons, Thomas and his wife, Carrie of Gettysburg and Douglas and his wife, Kristina of Berwick; grandchildren, Ryan, Sarah, and Anthony Kelchner, and Natalee Shultz (Zach); great-grandchildren, Zander and Zailee Shultz; sister, Jean Kujawa and her husband Thomas of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl and Millard Kelchner.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Rd, Benton, PA 17814. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. where the family will receive friends and loved ones. Interment at Elan Memorial Park with full military honors will take place immediately following the services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Mainville, 146 Church Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the Kelchner family. For online condolences or additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

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