Donald E. Widney, age 73, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away at 1:50 A.M. on Monday, January 7, 2013, in Parkview Regional Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, following a sudden illness. Don graduated from Sidney (Ohio) High School and served in the U.S. Navy on the naval carrier USS Shangri-La. He was vice president at Piqua Automotive in Piqua, Ohio, for ten years before attending Northwest State College and earning his LPN license. He worked as a nurse at Fairlawn Haven in Archbold, Ohio, and Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, Ohio. Don attended Grace Community Church in Bryan, where he sang with the praise band choir, served as custodian for several years, and also volunteered at The Sanctuary and Clothing by Grace. He had also performed with the Barbershop Quartet and performed with the Piqua Players Theatre group in various musicals and plays, as well as designing and constructing backdrops and sets and providing back-stage assistance. Known for his quick wit and pleasant personality, Don was well liked by many and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Born on May 18, 1939, in Sidney, Ohio, Don was the son of Walter and Mildred (Trushel) Widney. He married Janice A. Bolyard on June 13,1981, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and she survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Jamie (Randy) Fries, of Alexandria, Virginia, Stefanie Widney and Jocelyn (Mario) Rodriguez, both of Bryan; three sons, Donovan Widney, of St. Marys, Ohio, Dane (Dawn) Widney, of Piqua, and Ross Widney, of Denver, Colorado; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one brother, John Widney, of Sidney.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013, from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Grace Community Church, Bryan. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 P.M., following visitation, on Friday, January 11, 2013, at Grace Community Church with Pastor Sam Byroads officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the completion of the service.
Memorials are requested to the family, c/o Grace Community Church, Grace Community Church, American Diabetes Association, or the autism organization of the donor’s choice.
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