Donald T. Haughton

Donald T. Haughton, 87, of Dolgeville, New York and formerly of Inghams Mills, New York, passed away peacefully on early Friday morning, October 3, 2025 at Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls, New York. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by the love of his family.  

Donald was born on August 24, 1938 in the Town of Manheim to parents, Palmer G. and Mary E. (Beekman) Haughton. Donald and his high school sweetheart, Marie G. Eaker, graduated together with the Dolgeville Central School Class of 1956, where they were named Prom King and Queen. 

They married at the home of Donald’s uncle and aunt, William and Jessie Beyer, in Dolgeville, New York on September 7, 1957.  For the remainder of their married life until Marie’s death on April 2, 2015, the couple resided at the family dairy farm in Inghams Mills.  After Marie’s death, Donald continued to live on the family farm until it was sold in 2018.   

From his time as a teenager, Donald worked the family dairy farm on the corner of Inghams Mills and Snells Bush Roads along with his father.  His wife joined him in this endeavor, and eventually their two sons assumed running the farm.  Along with Donald’s grandchildren, a host of other young persons worked on the farm over the years, and everyone was welcome to partake of Marie’s delicious home cooked meals, especially her famous farm kitchen breakfasts.  For Donald and Marie, farming was truly a family affair and a labor of love.   

In addition to farming, Donald loved reading and learning about local, national, and world history, politics, religion, science, and conservation, and he especially was interested in biographies and autobiographies.  He had a great deal of interest in local history and family connections. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, the Inghams Mills Rural Park Cemetery, Snell-Zimmerman-Timmerman and Snells’ Bush Church, Inghams Mills Baptist Church, 4-H Club (Manheim Champions), Delegate to Eastern Artificial Insemination, and Delegate to Herkimer Agway.  

Always thinking and creating, Donald was the inventor of a veterinarian surgical instrument, and he held the patent on the invention for a number of years. 

Donald is survived by his three children:  daughter, Christine (William) Reynolds, and sons, John (Cindy) Haughton and David (Margaret) Haughton, all of the Town of Manheim, NY.  He was ever so proud of his grandchildren:  Joshua (Marissa) Reynolds, Jocelyn (Owen) Reynolds-Conklin, Justin (Emily) Reynolds, Kirsten (Dr. Jason) Bezio, Jonathan (Nicole) Haughton, Kimber (Jacob) Scarano, David Isley, and Daniel (Alexis) Haughton.  He is also survived by his great grandchildren Ella Grace, Faye, and Ruby Reynolds; William, Maggie, Molly, and Anna Rauch and their father, Mark Rauch; Herman and Ourora Conklin; Harper and Brighton Reynolds; Benjamin, Samuel, and Charlotte Bezio; Addisyn, Kennidy, and Johnny Palmer Haughton; and Rocco and Luciano Scarano. 

Donald also leaves behind sisters-in-law, Birgit Eaker and Jean Young, his brother-in-law Raymond Smith, numerous nieces and nephews, and many lifelong, supportive friends.   

In addition to his wife and parents, Donald was predeceased by his in-laws Leo and Dorothy Satterlee; his brother, Allen Haughton and his wife, Mildred Peck; his brother, Charles Haughton and his wife, Esther; his brothers-in-law, David Eaker and William Young; his sister-in-law, Joyce Smith; and his companion, Patricia Mosier.   

The family would like to thank his Bassett Healthcare Network providers, the Little Falls Emergency Room staff, and the staff of Little Falls Hospital third floor for their kindness and compassion for Donald and his family.   

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours at locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329, Cremations and Funerals, on Monday, October 6th, 2025 from 1 PM to 3 PM.  A funeral service will be held following calling hours at 3 PM and will be officiated by family friend and pastor, Gertrude Ortlieb.  A Celebration of Life will take place at the home of Bill and Christine Reynolds, 33 Howard Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329 following the service.  A family graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. 

In lieu of flowers, Donald has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Dolgeville Area Food Pantry, 21 N. Helmer Ave., Dolgeville, NY  13329.   

To leave a message of sympathy for the Haughton Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memory book. 

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