Wayne Eugene Fireoved, age 103, passed away at his rural Mendon home on Sunday, August 30, 2020.

He was born April 10, 1917, in Mercer County, to Thomas George and Edna Mae (Thomas) Fireoved. Wayne and Hazel Margaret (Copeland) Donovan were united in marriage on May 30, 1956, and she preceded him in death March 12, 2013.

Surviving are their children: Larry (Merry Pas) Donovan of Dryden, Michigan, Lori (Nathan) Weaks of Liberty Center and Dennis (Ann) Fireoved of Mendon. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Roger (Karen) Donovan, Lucinda (Art) Nelson, Lindsay (Josh) Brink, Evan Weaks, Ariel (Shaun Gornall) Weaks, Kelsey (Tim Wilson) Springer and Ethan & Austin Fireoved, five great-grandchildren: Jacob Nelson, Steven & Brian Donovan and Braeden & Evelyn Brink, and a sister-in-law, Harriet Fireoved, of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Wayne was preceded in death by two brothers & a sister: Dale (Pauline) Fireoved, Ruth (Harold) Buckloh and Ralph Fireoved, and a step-son, James Ray Donovan.

After graduating with the class of 1935 from Mendon-Union High School,Wayne began farming with his father using horse-drawn equipment. He saw many changes as he continued to farm throughout his lifetime. Wayne was proud to have lived in his rural Mendon home for 93 years.

For 43 years, Wayne owned and operated Fireoved Drainage, working on many area farms. During the winter months, he had been employed as a draftsman at Fanning & Howey in Celina and Birkmeier Monuments in Delphos.

Wayne was a member of Mendon United Methodist Church for many years. A very handy man, Wayne could fix anything. As a pastime, he enjoyed woodworking. Some of his projects were an intricate scale replica of his home, and a dollhouse for his daughter, Lori. Wayne also worked with metal, and had a blacksmith shop on his farm.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 3, at Mendon United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rob Glenn officiating. Burial will follow at Mendon Cemetery.

Calling Hours are from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 2, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon and 10:00-11:00 A.M. on Thursday, at the church.

Those attending are required to wear masks, practice social distancing as much as possible, and follow the COVID-19 guidelines established by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Mendon United Methodist Church.

Condolences can be expressed to Wayne's family at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.