Name: Visitation for Donald E. Binkley
Start: 2021-05-13T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-05-14T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Robert H. Wick Funeral Home

Donald E. Binkley

Donald E. Binkley, age 66, a local musician and song writer, passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021. He was born in Toledo on October 4, 1954 to Woodrow and Doris Binkley. A 1971 graduate of Libbey High School, Don spent his life devoted to his family, friends and his music. He touched many lives with his music and will live on through his music. Surviving is his wife, Vicki (Blair) Binkley; and their children, Alyson Binkley and Tyler Binkley. Also surviving is his sister, Carolyn Rabara. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joel and Steven.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 13 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Thos. I. Wisniewski Funeral Home 2426 N. Reynolds Rd. Toledo, OH. 43615. Services will be private.

Memorial donations are suggested to Epiphany Lutheran Church, Toledo or the Hickman Cancer Center, Sylvania, OH.

www.wisniewskifuneral.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on May 13, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Binkley

21 Entries

Stephen Budd

February 17, 2026

oh my gosh, I don't know what to say... I have no idea anything about what happened with Don? Maybe somebody could let me know. My email is treehouse [email protected]. My memories of Don were always great... amazing musician, kind, warm & charismatic.. very open to helping other people, very musical, very talented and always giving people the benefit of the doubt that's what I noticed when I was around him and other people came into the space we were holding... he helped me record my album Ghost Town at his studio between 1987 and 1992... He wasn't pushy though he could play circles around me on bass, guitar and singing... He was a real gem for Northwest Ohio & the Midwest..: between 1982 and 1987. I knew him when I was still living in Toledo and performing, and then I went away to Boston and kept coming back and he'd help me out with my recordings. I don't really remember ever hearing him say anything negative about anyone. He deeply loved his wife and family. I definitely remember that. And he was very flexible and talented. He could sit in on people if they Bass player or Guitarist suddenly had to cancel. It was a huge Beatles fan like I am and I didn't know his album ever got finished that he had been working on for a long time.. that's how my records have a tendency to be... but having just listened to it on Apple Music accents what a loss it was for the Toledo area that he passed... I hope it wasn't too painful for him or his family... nice and prayers and good wishes and good memories and good vibes to all of you who loved him.. I live in Tucson now, but if there's ever a concert that people play his songs and memorialize him, please let me know at the email I just shared or look me up on Facebook and such... God bless... Stephen Budd

Ron Lopez

October 25, 2024

1965 I met Don. Was their family paperboy on Vinton St. Took my Kay guitar to his home, gave Don lessons by ear, till he acquired his own axe. Wow did he progress fast, leaving me wondering, how he learned so many Beatle songs. Our budding friendship was music based. Each time bumping into him since, was at a music event. Known by the entire music community as bonified. The scene today is a lasting legacy of his major contributions. Surely missed, a void exists.

Paul Magnan

May 8, 2022

Can't believe it's been a year. We spoke just a couple of days before you left us. Our plans to travel together and see more of this world, went with you. But you are now seeing worlds we couldn't imagine and I will catch up with you at some point - this I know. Your music was left in good hands and has been completed by your band mates and friends. We are ready to share your songs at least one more time. Until we meet again, my very good friend.

Steven Rife

May 7, 2022

Cant believe Don has been gone a year now, he was an amazing person !!

So happy to have been a friend...

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Sharon VanDyke

July 19, 2021

My hubby and I met Don and Dan quite by accident one evening when we were out to dinner we enjoyed the music coming from the bar area and went in to listen and had a ball. Every song we threw at them to play and they did! Found out that hubby's cousin Jim was friends and they travelled in similar circles and every chance we had we come to see the Don and Dan Show.Since my hubby Gary was a bass player they had a lot in common and even asked if he would like to play a song or two. Sadly my Hubby, Gary had passed in June 2020 so I know they are now a new duo in heaven making music. So sad and shocked to hear of his passing. Prayers to his family a bit late. He was a fabulous musician and genuinely nice guy! You will be greatly missed to all who knew you! R.I.P DON.

Lenny Ringling

June 1, 2021

I've known Don since 1971 his whole life was about music he was a awesome friend I will miss all the phone conversation's about vintage guitars .rest easy my friend.

Mark Hitchins

May 23, 2021

I can remember playing with Don at The Coach House. What great times we had! So sad to hear of his passing.

Fred and Alice Shuman

May 18, 2021

Mr. Donald Binkley ... It was an honor to have you in our lives...We miss you and will always have fond thoughts of our times together. We thank God for you and would ask that He comfort your family and friends in your absence.

Don Warner

May 14, 2021

Vicki, so sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, I just found out this evening and missed the visitation. My thoughts and sympathies are with you and the family. Don was always a bright light whenever I would run into him. I always enjoyed our conversations and will miss him deeply.

Diane Tillman Whelton

May 13, 2021

So sad to learn of Don's passing. Many wonderful memories of Don and Vicki!! Vicki, keeping you and the rest of your family in my prayers. Tillie

Ray Peterson

May 12, 2021

I met Don in 1977 when I had been performing in the area for only about a year. Don was a strong personality with a strong voice to match. Very entertaining for sure but the guy could actually sing. A sad passing of a local performer
God Bless and rest in peace Don

Victor Pirooz

May 12, 2021

This is such a complete shock, rest in peace my dear friend. Vic Pirooz

Garry BINKLEY

May 12, 2021

I will always be grateful to Don for singing at our Wedding. He had a gig in Indiana the night before. Flew in that next morning, sang at our wedding and flew back to Indiana for that evenings gig. How grateful we were and still are.

Janet

May 12, 2021

God bless your family, so sorry for your loss. Angels are all around to comfort us, and I'm sure Don will be singing with them always, as life goes on.

Linda Hasenbalg

May 12, 2021

Don was a local musical treasure who will be missed. Thank you Don, for the music that made us smile, sing along and tap our feet. From one of the Coach House Gang, Linda H

Marcia (Sancrant) Calhoun

May 12, 2021

I've known Don since high school and was so very sorry to hear of his passing. I loved hearing his music. He will be missed by so many. Marcia

Lori and Pam

May 12, 2021

Don was a beloved family member swimming in an amazing amount of talent . My family members including my Mom, hisAunt Norma and his Mom, my aunt Doris and I and my sisters went out so many times to hear Don song. His eyes always sparkles when he saw his family in the audience to hear him play and sing, and he always made a bee-line for hugs and kisses for everyone of us, every time. Don sang at my wedding, he sung at my Mom's funeral..the memories go on and on. I had such a great talk with Don a few weeks ago, he said he was in the best hands with Vicki, and how much he loved her and his children. Like my sister Rhonda less than a year ago, we lost Don too early. But what a life God gifted him with! I will NEVER be in Port Clinton, Catawba, Sandusky, Toledo or any venue Don played at without seeing and hearing him sing in my heart. Thank you Don for all the love and great memories you left us with. Hard to write this, tears in eyes, but we love you always. Lori, Pam, Rhonda (who loved Don so much). Your cousins always.

Menacher

May 12, 2021

Good man.

Steven Rife

May 12, 2021

Ive known Don for 40 years...sad to say goodbye seemed he would always be around !!

Steve Rife

Dennis Gwynne

May 11, 2021

A good friend and a musical brother, Don will be sorely missed. Ruth and I send our love and condolences to his entire family.

Paul Magnan

May 11, 2021

My lifetime friend and as close as a brother. We had many plans for the future, but we'll have to wait to be together, somewhere down the line. Line us up a gig wherever you're at, and I'll bring my guitar with me when I get there. My very sincere condolences to Vicky, Tyler and Alyson and to all the musicians that shared the stage with you. Love you, Don and will remember you everyday of my life.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results