BROADWAY, VA, February 24, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Donald E. Showalter, JD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Showalter is a distinguished figure in the legal field. He most recently served as an attorney with Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC from 1965 to 2025, where he emerged as a recognized expert in corporate and business law, as well as probate and agricultural cooperative matters, and earned respect for his deep knowledge and practical approach. Early in his career, Mr. Showalter achieved a significant milestone by filing a brief on behalf of the Mennonite Church in the landmark United States Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder, decided in 1972. The case affirmed the right of Amish parents to withdraw their children from school after the eighth grade under the First Amendment's free exercise of religion clause, marking a pivotal moment both for religious liberty and educational law.

In addition to his primary legal practice, Mr. Showalter contributed to academia as a guest lecturer at the University of Virginia and as a Business Law Professor for 30 years at Eastern Mennonite University, sharing his insights with future generations of legal professionals. Additionally, his professional affiliations reflect his commitment to advancing the legal field: he served as a past president of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Bar Association, was named a council member of the business law section for the Virginia Bar Association and was a member of the board of governors for the business law section of the Virginia State Bar. Mr. Showalter's dedication to best practices is further demonstrated by his membership in the Virginia Law Foundation and his role as a founder of Mennonite Praxis Mutual Funds.

Exceptional academic credentials further define Mr. Showalter's presence in his field. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history from Eastern Mennonite University, earned in 1962, after which he completed a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia in 1965. Notably, Mr. Showalter is also recognized as the first graduate from Eastern Mennonite University to attend law school, setting a precedent for others from his alma mater.

Mr. Showalter was proud to be admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1965 and was later admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1971. He credits his achievements to a strong work ethic instilled by his parents and reinforced throughout his life—a value Mr. Showalter deliberately passed on to his children and grandchildren by encouraging summer employment during their formative years.

Beyond his legal career, Mr. Showalter regularly seeks opportunities for civic engagement. He served as a past president of Rockingham Memorial Hospital Foundation and as a past president and long-term director of the James Madison University Arboretum, contributing to both healthcare administration and environmental stewardship within his community. He also co-founded the Bach Music Festival, which has enriched the community for more than 30 years. His interests extend into historical research and publication, and he served as the editor for a book chronicling the history of the Chesapeake Western Railroad; additionally, Mr. Showalter has humbly accepted numerous awards in acknowledgment of his service and leadership.

Mr. Showalter has remained deeply rooted in his hometown of Broadway since 1965, where he reared three children with his wife, Marlene. To achieve balance, he cherishes spending time with his six grandchildren, collecting model railroad equipment, reading about history and works by John Grisham, and gardening on his four acres. He also remains actively involved with local initiatives such as a rails-to-trails effort to convert abandoned railroad tracks into a path for hikers and bikers—a project supported by the Virginia General Assembly, and he continues to give lectures on plant material and horticulture within his community. As he looks toward the future, Mr. Showalter will persist in his focus on family life, community involvement and civic engagement in Broadway, where he is widely known for his enduring commitment to public service and education.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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