Donald Nordhaus

OTTAWA -- Donald David Nordhaus, 85, of Ottawa, died at 6:51 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025, at his residence. He was born on March 30, 1940, in Ottawa to the late Arthur and Louise (Conn) Nordhaus. On February 21, 1962, he married Sandra Kerner, who survives in Ottawa.

Donald graduated in 1958 from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and attended The Ohio State University. He served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1964 during the Vietnam War. Donald worked for Fruehauf Corporation in Delphos for 21 years. He was also co-owner and worked for H & K Products from 1986 to 2017. Donald was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa, Indian Lake Moose Club, Ottawa American Legion Post #63, and was a lifetime member of the Lima Elks Club and Leipsic Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent his leisure time at Indian Lake boating and fishing. He truly loved his children and grandchildren.

Donald is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Sandra; his daughter, Michelle (Gary) Kahle of Germantown, TN; two sons: Jeffrey (Linda) Nordhaus of Leipsic, OH and Steven (Shannon) Nordhaus of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren: Whitney (David) Swain, Clay (Madeline) Nordhaus, Luke, Noah and Austin Nordhaus, Tyler (Parker) Kahle, Morgan (Blake) Clothier, Nicole (Jerrod) Cass and Nathan Nordhaus; nine great-grandchildren: Alexander, Heidi, Theodore, and Thomas Nordhaus, Aurora Cass, Aspen Cass, Henry Swain, Daniel Swain and Brody Clothier; a sister, Laura (Michael) King of Lakewood, OH; three brothers: Robert (Marcie) Nordhaus of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Tim (Gail) Nordhaus of Fancy Gap, VA and Ronald (Deb) Nordhaus of Ottawa, OH; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers: Frederick, John and Kim Nordhaus.

The family would like to thank all of Donald's caregivers, especially Putnam County Hospice for their services.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 10, 2025, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Scott Kramer officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by Ottawa American Legion, VFW, AMVETS and DAV. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the Mass on Friday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa. A scripture service will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.