Donald J. Luedeke, 89, of New Bremen, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 10th 2025, at his home with his family by his side. He was born on September 22, 1936, to Arnold and Norma (Heinfeld) Luedeke. On December 9, 1961 he was married to Shirley Hirschfeld at St Paul's UCC in New Bremen.

Don was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army from 1959-1965 and was deployed to Germany during his enlistment time.

He was an active member of Only Believe Ministries in Botkins and enjoyed watching Grace Chapel Church, Mason, OH on-line. He was saved through the TV ministry of Rex Humbard.

He dedicated his life to the community by being a German Township Trustee for 8 years, a member of CERT, and a part-time volunteer police officer for the Village of New Bremen for 16 years. He also enjoyed his memberships in the Buckeye Farm Antique Club (John Deere all the way!), the Auglaize County Amateur Radio Club, the Buckeye Farm Antique Club and the EMA.

Don was an avid collector of hats and John Deere memorabilia. He enjoyed working in his workshop and making small wooden items for his family and friends.

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children Gordon (Marge) Luedeke of New Bremen OH, Kim (Kevin) Schwieger of Morrow OH, Kevin Luedeke of New Bremen OH, Pam (Matt) Albright of Lebanon OH,  his eleven grandchildren Allison Luedeke of Sioux City IA, Logan (Jana) Schwieger of Pleasant Plain OH, Whitney (David) Hare of Lebanon OH, Austin (Haley) Luedeke of Bowling Green OH, Samantha (Eric) Webster of Pleasant Hill  OH,  Cory Luedeke of New Bremen OH, Leah Luedeke of New Bremen OH, Evan Albright, Cade Albright, Alton Albright Chase Albright all of Lebanon, OH. He is also survived by 5 great grandchildren, Kendall and Carter Schwieger, Eric Webster, and Brandy and Nora Hare. He has 2 surviving siblings, Dru (Mike) Meyer of New Bremen and Richard (Lydia) Luedeke of Ft. Wayne, IN. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Quinton Albright and sister Janice (Gene) This.

Funeral rites will be held 12:00 noon Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, Pastor Kevin Schwieger, officiant. Burial will take place on the family plot at German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home, and from 10:00-11:30 A.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home, where, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Jude, Only Believe Ministries Safety Team, New Bremen EMs or Auglaize County Council on Aging.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Don's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.