Donald Turnwald

KALIDA - Donald Anthony "Don" Turnwald, 89, of Kalida died at 5:56 a.m., Sunday, May 25, 2025, at his residence. He was born August 28, 1935, to Ed and Tharsilla (Frederick) Turnwald in Landeck, Ohio. The second youngest of eight children, Don was raised on a farm in Muntanna, OH. He eagerly learned the skills needed to become a good and successful farmer, especially no-till farming.

On August 3, 1957, he married Martha Niese of Leipsic, and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Martha died on May 8, 2021. Father of eight children, Sandy (Mike) Westrick, Ottawa, Denny (Blyth) Turnwald, Kalida, Cindy (Bill) Koch, Columbus Grove, Ed (Theresa) Turnwald, Elida, Karen (Je?) Schroeder, Kalida, Dan (Kathy), Ottawa, and Steve, Terry (Jodi), Cloverdale; 25 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren with one on the way; and a brother, Art Turnwald of Ottoville

Don is preceded in death by siblings- Jerry (Frankie) Turnwald, Gip (Bern) Turnwald, Mary (Leo) Moeggenborg, Paul "Duke" (Martha) Turnwald, Theresa (Norman) Becker, and Ruth Ann Turnwald; sister-in-law- Joan Turnwald.

On February 18, 1954, Don joined the Company B-367th Armored Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean Conflict; where he transported troops to their ships and planes to head home.

Don was a life member of the Kalida K of C, Ottawa American Legion, and Ottawa VFW, a member of the Ottawa Eagles, life member, United Auto Workers Union.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida and its Holy Name Society. He and wife Martha also enjoyed their "Renew Group".

Don retired from Ford Motor Co. after 36 years, while squeezing in his farming duties, and had a large chicken coop with 10,000 hens.

Don's funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 29, 2025, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Father Phil Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa VFW, American Legion, AMVETS and DAV. The viewing for Don will be Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. and again on Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Jackson Twp.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Putnam County Home Care & Hospice Assoc., or the Putnam County Council on Aging. A special note of 'thanks' goes out to The Meadows of Kalida and their sta? and a huge 'thanks' to the Glandorf Kidney Fresenius Center, and in particular, to Nurse Ann, who was invaluable to us and Dad. You all deserve medals! Or a bonus or something…!

Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.