Douglas E. McCabe

Douglas E. McCabe, 75, of Lancaster, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, September 11, 2026 at his residence. He was born on July 19, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Edward Matthew McCabe and Mary Ann Castle.

Doug met Valaria Jo Niles in high school, they went to junior prom together, and married on August 28, 1971. They moved to Athens in 1987 with their family.

Doug was an alumnus of Ohio University where he received 2 degrees. He worked for Ohio University Athens as the curator of manuscripts for the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections at OU’s Alden Library. During his time, he worked on records for the Athens Lunatic Asylum and the Cornelius Ryan Collection. Doug also provided information for the movie Saving Private Ryan. Doug was extremely knowledgeable and loved history. He discovered stories of those that lived and died at the Athens Asylum, and even helped get grave markers for veterans who were buried at the Asylum.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Valaria; children, Ian (Nicole) McCabe, Meghan (TY Woodard) McCabe, Adrienne (Nathan) McCabe-Edwards; grandchild, Mikayla Rae McCabe; sister, Catherine (Steve) Harring, and great-grand cat, Weazy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary.

Per Doug’s wishes, Caring Cremation® has taken place through Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, there will be no services observed.

Contributions in honor of Doug can be made to: WOUB Operations at Ohio University, 35. S College Street, Athens, OH 45701; Southeast Ohio Food Bank, 1005 C I C Drive, Logan, OH 43138; The Cornelius Ryan Collection at the Ohio University Library, 30 Park Place, Athens, OH 45701, or Fairhope Hospice, 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, OH 43130

To sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence, visit funeralhome.com

Frank E. Smith Funeral Home is honored to serve the McCabe family.