Donald E. Thomas Sr., 73, Celina, died at 12:37 a.m. March 9, 2015, at OSU Medical Center, Columbus.

He was born Nov. 9, 1941, in St. Marys, the son of Lowell and Laura (Willoughby) Thomas, who are deceased. He married Nancy Short on Nov. 30, 1968, in Harrod, and she survives at the residence.

Also surviving are his children, Donald E. Thomas Jr., Silver Spring, Md., Gary (Pam) Thomas, Spencerville, Michelle (Gary) Roby, St. Marys, Mark (Lori) Thomas, St. Marys, Toni (Matt) Finke, St. Marys, and Laura (Jimmy) Martinez, East North Port, N.Y.; a nephew to whom he was very close, Buddy Butler, Lima; six grandchildren, Dawn Thomas, Jill Vanmeter, Jenna Roby, Nikki Thomas, Dave Thomas and Nicholas Martinez; three great-grandchildren, Justin, Owen and Charlee; a sister, Nikki (Earl) Jones, Wapakoneta; a brother-in-law, Keith (Julie) Klinefelter, Hamilton; a sister-in-law, Billie (Joe Glick) Judjek, Lima; his niece, Tara Klinefelter; and great-nephews, Gage and Carter Butler.

Also deceased is a sister, Eileen, who died as a child.

Donald was a 1959 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and had attended Miami University. He retired from Parker-Hannifin Corporation, where he had been a tool and die maker and a supervisor. He was a member of Montezuma United Methodist Church. Don will be remembered for his charitable work with Truckers for Christ and his involvement with the Emmaus Community.

Funeral rites are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, St. Marys, Pastor Cory Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Montezuma United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Condolences may be sent to Millerfuneralhomes.net.