Don 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 (Jeff) Schroeder, Kalida, Dan (Kathy), Ottawa, and Steve, Terry (Jodi), Cloverdale; 25 grandchildren- Andy and Stacy Campbell, Nickey Grismore, Christy Altstaetter, Amy Langhals, Mandy, Sam, and Ben Schroeder, Elizabeth and Michael Turnwald, Emily Turnwald Youngblood, Adam and Nick Turnwald, Abbey Burgei, Jimmy and Michael Sharrits, Brian and Aaron Mershman, Rachel Thompson, Jonathan, Grace, Rose, and Clare Turnwald, Josh and Skylar Turnwald, and Maddie Kloepfer; 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. He was teasingly known for having the cleanest, shiniest truck anywhere there! Said he used shoe polish as his secret weapon…

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" of friends- Arnie Siebeneck's, Rich Vorst's, Earl Kleman's, and Bill Niese's crews. They enjoyed countless outings together, camping, polka dancing, barbecues, and any other excuse they could come up with to get together!

Don and Mart traveled as much as they could, and managed to see many states, including Alaska.

We've joked that Dad was like a bulldog with nine lives! Prostate cancer tried to get him in '99, but he overcame that. Crohn's almost got him in '08, but he battled back from that as well. Covid tried its hand on him, but Don slipped away from that as well - a couple of times! Then came failed kidneys last year- and that's what finally wore Dad down…

In '84, Dad almost had a heart attack/heat stroke, working like a mad man, and managing to rescue son Terry from a grain wagon that was unloading beans on an extremely hot summer day. Dad's quick thinking saved Terry as he was pulled down and sucked into the fast-moving beans. After he got Terry out and breathing again, he collapsed onto the ground from heat and exhaustion…

Our wonderful example of a hard-working man, Don retired from Ford Motor Co. after 36 years, all the while squeezing in his farming duties, and even decided along the way that a large chicken coop with as many as 10,000 chicken would be a great idea for extra income. Turned out that it not only kept him busier but gave us kids all a busier life!

Don loved his 'coffee time' in the later years with friends including Gene Deters, Jerry Heitmeyer, Bob Hamburg, Paul Schimmoeller, who were great friends that we named 'doctors' because everything they said was what Dad swore by!

Everyone that knew Don/Dad, knew that he never knew a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with just about anyone who would listen. And he never failed to compliment someone for a job well done - be it a waitress, nurse, doctor, mechanic,…he'd say "when they do a good job I want to let them know!" by telling them " you did a damn good job! I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate that"! Good ole' Dad…His sudden case of failed kidneys 1 1/2 years ago really took its toll on him. It took him from outgoing and full of fun, to tired and weaker by the month. God apparently need Don/Dad, so sadly we had to say 'good bye'. But we are so happy that he with Mom again and his body is healthy again…

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 HomeCare & Hospice Assoc., or the Putnam County Council on Aging for providing transportation for Dad to Dialysis. A special note of 'thanks' goes out to The Meadows of Kalida and their staff, 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…!

Putnam County Council on Aging
1425 East Fourth St., Ottawa OH 45875

Putnam County Homecare and Hospice
575 OG Road Suite 3, PO Box 312, Ottawa OH 45875
Tel: 1-419-523-4449
Web: http://www.pchh.net