John Douglas "Doug" Brookhart, 71, St. Marys, died of a sudden illness at 2:50 a.m. Feb. 16, 2013, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, with his loving family at his side.

He was born Feb. 26, 1941, in Parkersburg, W.Va., to Earl and Eloise Waterman Brookhart. On Jan. 20, 1962, he married Mary Alyce Smith, who survives.

He is also survived by his two daughters, Lucy (John) Homan of Sidney and Alicia (Phil) Homan of Celina; five grandchildren, Gage Douglas Homan, Madeline Allyce Homan, Mackenzie Alexis Homan, Mason Robert Homan and Peyton Lavern Homan; and one brother, Peter W. Brookhart of Dallas, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by one brother, Gary Brookhart.

He was a 1959 graduate of Newark Senior High School and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1972. He had served as public utilities director in Newark, Johnstown, Heath, Sidney and Lima. He served as safety-service director for Saint Marys from 1986-89. He retired in 1989 after 30 years of public service. At the time of his death he was a consultant for Jones and Henry Engineers in Toledo.

He was a 50-year member of the American Waterworks Association, a member of the Ohio Water Environment Association, and a member of the Operator Training Committee of Ohio. He was a trustee of the Auglaize County Historical Society. He was an avid collector and had authored two books, "A History of Ohio's Water Systems" and "An Ordinary Kid Living in Extraordinary Times."

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and was a member of the Wayne Street United Methodist Church, St. Marys.

Private graveside burial rites will be held Wednesday at the Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Memorials may be given to the Auglaize County Historical Society.

Condolences may be sent to Doug's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.