Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
Donald R. Symonds, 94, of Sandusky, formerly of Lima, died Wednesday, February 24, 2016, in the Ohio Veterans Home, Sandusky.
Born February 5, 1922 in Alger, Ohio, he was the son of Ray and Mary Rambo Symonds.
Don graduated from Alger High School in 1940. He served in the CCC and was also a proud World War II veteran, serving in the US Army.
Don retired from the Lima State Hospital in 1981. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sandusky. He was also a life member of the American Legion, Commodore Denig Post 83, Sandusky, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2529, Sandusky, and the AMVETS Post 17, Sandusky. He was also a member of FARA and the OVH amateur radio clubs, the Vacationland Sams, the Erie Mad River Model Railroad Club and the Senior Men's Club.
Don dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grand-children and great-grandchild. After retiring, he enjoyed his hobbies of camping, fishing, model trains and ham radios and the many friends he made while pursuing these hobbies.
Don is survived by his wife of 34 years, Arlene (Stierhoff) Beat Symonds, sons, Phillip Symonds of Findlay and Rex Symonds of Pinallis Park, FL; a daughter, Paula (Monte} Reed. San Diego, CA; a step-son, David Beat of Norwalk; a step-daughter, Jacqueline Barone of Sandusky; three step-grand daughters, Katherine (Michael) Nagel, Sandusky; Kristen Barone, Sandusky, and Erin ( Allen) Polland, Castalia; and one great-great grandson, Louis Algier of Sandusky; a sister, Evelyn Conley, Ada; a sister-in-law, Genevieve Symonds, Dayton, a brother-in-law, Keith Stierhoff, Sandusky; and several nieces and nephews..
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his infant son, Dale Kenneth Symonds; three brothers, Dale, Delmer and Harold Symonds; and his sister, Edna Schrader.
Friends may call on Friday, February 26, 2016, from 10 A.M. until time of funeral services at 11 A.M. in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2211 Mills St., Sandusky. Rev. Merlin Jacobs will officiate. Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016, at 11:30 A.M. in Preston Cemetery, Alger, OH.
Memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to Stein Hospice Service, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870, or to Ohio Veterans Home Resident's Fund, 3416 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870, or to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.toftfh.com.
