NASHVILLE
Donald E. Galbreath, 91, founder of Hotel Nashville, Inc. in Nashville, Indiana and Galbreath, Inc. and Galfab, Inc. in Winamac, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the Belmont Health and Rehabilitation Center in Columbus.Don was born April 2, 1932 in Winamac, Indiana to the late Chester and Orilla (Lincoln) Galbreath. The son of a blacksmith, Don had tinkered around in his father’s blacksmith shop and after graduating high school in 1950, he joined his father’s blacksmith business in Winamac that was primarily working on farm equipment for area farmers. The business evolved over the next decade and became concentrated on the production of truck bodies and purchasing and mounting hoists to them. Galbreath, Inc. was formed in 1963 and expanded fabrication totrashcontainers, self-dumping hoppers and steel refuse containers. In 1972 the Galbreath Roll-Off Hoist was introduced to the waste management industry. Don held many waste equipment patents and was known internationally for his waste management equipment inventions.Described as a “pioneer” in the industry, Don was inducted into the Environmental Industries Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and in 2015 was welcomed as a Fellow into the Indiana Society of Innovators. In the late 1980’s Galbreath, Inc. sold and led Don to new ventures.Over the years, Don made many get-away trips to Brown County and Nashville, Indiana. In 1988 Don purchased property on the north end of Nashville, formed Hotel Nashville, Inc. and built Hotel Nashville. In 2016, Don along with his business partners in Hotel Nashville, Inc, purchased Seasons Lodge and Conference Center. Despite the accolades and business success, Don was a humble man who would often be found working side by side with his employees, contractors, and others. This not only allowed Don to share his affable and jovial spirit, but ensured his high expectations for quality were maintained through the work of his own and others. Survivors include his wife, Darlene “DJ” Jaehnke-Galbreath of Nashville, son Stephen (Deborah) Galbreath of Plymouth, Indiana, stepdaughter, Laura Jaehnke of Nashville, grandchildren Douglas (Wendy) Galbreath, David (Sheila) Galbreath, Gregory Galbreath, Mario Jaehnke, Rashell Jaehnke, great-grandchildren Aiden, Logan, Evan and Faith Galbreath, many nieces and nephews and business partners Kevin Ault and family and nephew Eric Galbreath.He was proceeded in death by his first wife, Delores “Dee” Galbreath, daughters Rhonda Galbreath and Vickie Galbreath, brother John Galbreath, sisters Betty Kloenne, Shirley Howard, and Myra Jordan and his beloved dog, Buffy. Don’s Celebration of Life will be held in Nashville on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the Seasons Lodge Event Center, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a time of reflection around 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Brown County Humane Society 128 State Road 135 S. Nashville, IN 47448 or online at bchumane.org.
