Donald “Don” Bernard Piehota, 88, of Huntingtown, MD went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on May 16, 1936, in Hazleton, PA to his parents, Peter and Anna (Sotak) Piehota.
Don graduated Harvey High School in Painesville, OH in 1953, and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Kent State University. Following college, Don served in the US Army as a cryptologist. In 1962, he earned a Master’s of Social Work from Ohio State University and found great fulfillment as a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy and counseling at several institutions until he retired from Fort Sill, OK in 1998. Don dedicated himself to helping others and supporting individuals and families in need. His compassion and commitment earned him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and clients alike.
Don found joy in a variety of activities with loved ones; including sailing, cattle ranching, fishing, bird watching, drawing, playing musical instruments, attending plays and operas, collecting art, cultivating fruit trees, and pursuing knowledge. He was a man of many talents and interests, always eager to learn and share his passions with others, often incorporating life lessons and guidance along the way. Don’s love for the outdoors was evident in his dedication to sailing, cattle ranching, cultivation, and bird watching; where he found peace and inspiration. His artistic side shone through in his drawings and music, bringing joy to those around him.
In his spare time, Don was often found with a book in hand, exploring new worlds and ideas or tending to his beloved fruit trees, nurturing them with the same care he showed to family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren playing games, teaching them how to cook, build bird houses, play chess, and supporting their goals. Don also enjoyed traveling with family. His curiosity and zest for life were contagious, leaving a lasting impression on those around him. He is loved and missed by family and friends.
Don and Shirley Milchesky-Piehota were married on August 28th, 2011, in Lawton, OK. In 2023, he moved to MD with his wife to reside with his stepdaughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren: Julie, Robert, Emily, and Samuel Bond.
He is survived by his beloved wife Shirley (Rogers) Milchesky-Piehota of the home; his former spouse Patricia (Feather) Piehota of Snyder, OK, the mother of his children; his daughter and son-in-law Jenifer and Christopher Wetzel of Snyder, OK; his grandchildren Kristina Garret of Omaha, NE, and Christopher Henry of Fittstown, OK; his stepchildren and their spouses Garry and Cornelia Milchesky of Lawton, OK, Tamey and Kenneth McCall of Norman, OK, Terri Calvert of Lewisville, TX, Julie and Robert Bond of Huntingtown, MD, and their children and grandchildren; his sisters and brothers-in-law Barbara Ann and Phil Giaconia of Painesville, OH, and Donna and Rodney Richmond of Westfield, IN.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Catherine Henry.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made in honor of Donald Piehota to the Alzheimer’s Association at: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=930373.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD.
Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lawton, OK. All services will be private.
Don was an excellent man, a best friend of my father John Liikala, we are so grateful to have him in our lives. They went to the same high-school, Mexico, Ohio state, worked a bar together and remained friends for over 70 years, it wasn’t until today we found this news out. God bless