Click here for column remembering Don.

Donald Eugene Herr, 90 of Bluffton died on May 3, 2020, at Willow Ridge – Betty House, Bluffton. He was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio, on March 22, 1930, to the late Edgar and Ethel (Manahan) Herr.  He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1948.  

Don was the overall champion at the 1949 July 4th Harmon Field Centennial Rodeo. He served as a Private 1st Class in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 and was a member of the American Legion. On March 18, 1956, he married Mary Ann Basinger who survives in Bluffton.

Don was a member of the Beaverdam and Forest Park United Methodist churches. He was a member of the Beaverdam-Richland Volunteer Fire Department and past president of the Bluffton High School Athletic Boosters.  

He worked several years for Lennox in Lima. He was a lifelong farmer and member of the Farm Bureau. Don retired after 30 years as a Bluffton letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.  He shared his passion of singing as a member of the LaFayette Grange Barber Shop, Master’s Men, and King’s Glory Gospel Quartets as well as being active in the Lima Bean and LaFayette Community Chorus’.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his children, Terry Numbers of Bluffton and her sons, Josh (Hope), Brad (Jenna), and Eric (Holly); Bob and Sharon Herr of Cairo and their children, Andy (Brooke), Rich, Brittany (Jacob Kline) and Tara; Mardy and Lisa Herr of Bluffton and their son, Sam; Jim and Robin Herr of Bluffton and their children, Amber (Ryan Miller), Brandon (Amanda), Jesse, and Katie; Jeremy and Tracie Herr of McComb and their daughters Briana, Jenna, Alyssa; seven great-grandchildren; a brother Bill (Gloria) Herr of Bluffton; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sue Herr.

A private memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 7, at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. Pastor Thomas Holmes officiating. 

Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, where military rites will be performed by the Hancock County Veteran’s Squad.  The service will be private due to the recommendations regarding public gatherings. However, a live streaming via Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services Facebook page will begin at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W. Elm St., Bluffton, Ohio 45817 or Forest Park United Methodist Church, 315 S. Collins Ave., Lima, Ohio 45804.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.