Donald J. Moritz, age 94, passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021 at his daughter's home, surrounded by his family.
He was born on November 4, 1926 in Lima, Ohio to the late Fay William and Mary Kathryn (Neu) Moritz. On July 14, 1946 Donald married the love of his life, Jean Zimmer. She preceded him in death on October 9, 2009. His love for her never dimmed and was with him through the remainder of his life.
Donald grew up in Lima and Sidney. He was the first born of six children, guided by loving parents. Along with his brothers and sisters, he had close relationships with his aunts, uncles and many cousins. As a child, he enjoyed working at his Uncle Bill Neu's produce farm in Columbus Grove, which always ended up with a Kewpee hamburger on the ride home.
At age 15, Donald would ride his bicycle to work at the Lima Locomotive Works as part of an after-school youth program. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on his 18th birthday. A WWII veteran, he was stationed in the Philippines at Eastern Samar and served as an electrician's mate from 1943 to 1945. While there, they worked to build and maintain a Naval Air Station at Guiuan. Upon returning from service, he started his career as a carpenter, working for Stedke Construction. He then took a position at R&W Construction, managing projects until his retirement.
Donald loved to use his construction skills to build and remodel houses for many family members – even into his late 80's. He also volunteered on several houses for Habitat for Humanity, in Lima.
He loved to travel and took many family vacations across the United States and fishing trips to Canada. He and Jean loved spending their winters in Sebastian, Florida with his brothers, sisters-in-law and cousins next door. Many fishing expeditions were held on the Indian River with visiting friends and family. Everyone enjoyed lots of fishing, trips to the beach and shopping. During your stay you were treated to homemade sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls. The visit always ended with a delicious fish-fry with the Neu's. He shared a cabin with cousins on Pelee Island and knew just where the walleye hit. He also loved to fly into Short Cut in Canada for more rugged fishing.
He was a devoted and faithful member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church and served many terms on Church Council. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. If you were in his family, by birth or by marriage, you knew you were completely loved by him, yet held accountable to be a hard-working, good person. He was our North Star. His love, quick wit and sense of humor were with him to the very end and live on in all of us.
Survivors include his daughter, Jane (Robert) Williams of Harrod; daughter-in-law, Leola Moritz of Lima; five grandchildren: Robert (Shawnna) Moritz, Richard (Dara) Moritz, James (Alison) Williams, Stacey Klingler and Angela (Nathan) Baxter; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother: Larry (Suzann) Moritz of Columbus; two sisters: Susan Bumbaugh of Columbus and Deborah (Paul) Riepenhoff of Lima; a sister-in-law Mary Moritz and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Joseph F. Moritz; two brothers: Myron Moritz and Ramon Moritz; a sister-in-law, Janice Moritz; and a brother-in-law, Jaye Bumbaugh.
Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 209 W. North Street, Lima with Rev. Steve Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Ward Cemetery, Harrod with graveside military honors conducted by the Lima VFW Post #1275 Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Donald's family would like to thank everyone for their visits, prayers and cards. A special thanks to Putnam County Hospice for their excellent care.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Lima.
