Donald Ray Blake

Celebrating his 82nd birthday while in Toledo Hospital and recently released home under Hospice, Donald R. Blake passed away at home with his family surrounding him on October 23, 2025.  Born on September 27, 1943, Don was the middle child of five children born to Harvie and Flora Blake.  He grew up in the Sylvania area and graduated from the newly opened Northview High School.  Don moved to Chicago and lived with his uncle, where he gained employment with General Mills and discovered the love of his life, Marie.  After their marriage in November 1964, Don returned to Toledo with Marie, where they lived and raised their family in west Toledo.  Their 60th wedding anniversary was celebrated last year with a surprise party given by Diana, Douglas and Christina.

 Don was employed for over 22 years at Dana Spicer located on Bennet Road.  He retired from St. Clement Parish after 17 years working as head of maintenance and working Wednesday night bingos.  As many times that he walked across that asphalt parking lot from the community center, church, rectory, and convent, his footprints are forever in it.

 He took up the hobby of flying radio-controlled airplanes and was a member of the Weak Signals RC Club until he turned to the real thing.  For some years he shared ownership of a Cessna 172 and enjoyed Saturday morning breakfast fly-ins.  Near retirement he returned to radio-controlled airplanes and was a member of the Fly Tigers Model RC Club.

Don is survived by his wife Marie of 60 years, his children, Douglas (Christina) and Diana and his brother, James (Kathy) of Tucson.  And can’t forget granddog, Lola.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvie and Flora Blake, his sisters, Sarah Hummel and Janice Lewis, and his brother Thomas Blake.

His family will receive friends at the Castillo Funeral Home 1757 Tremainville Rd. Wednesday from 4 – 8 PM where funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 AM. His family prefers memorial tributes be made in his name to Hospice of Northwest Ohio 30000 River Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551.

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