Donna J. Thobe, 72
Donna J. Thobe, 72, of New Bremen, died at 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at the Otterbein of St. Marys. She was born on Dec. 19, 1948 in Coldwater, the daughter of the late Orville S. and Alma M. (Post) Ranly. On Oct. 11, 1969, she married Jack Thobe, and he survives in New Bremen.
Also surviving are her children: Kevin (Cheryl) Thobe of Coldwater, Karla (Clay) Siereveld of West Chester and Krista (Kyle) Waller of Lebanon; and her six grandchildren: Derek, Dylan, Kalie, Kelsey, Austin, and Aiden. Also left to cherish her memory are her siblings: Nancy (Bill) Mueller of St. Henry, Linda McKitterick of Van Wert, Dave Ranly of Greenville, Floyd (Betty) Ranly of Celina, Roger (Karen) Ranly of St. Henry, Cindy (Dennis) Wellman of Trinity, Indiana and Connie (Dave) Heinrichs of Coldwater. Along with her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her infant siblings Mary, Joseph and John.
Donna grew up in Philothea and was a 1967 graduate of Coldwater High School. After moving to New Bremen in 1998, she became a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer where she had been active in the Prayer Chain and the Busy Bakers. She was so proud of her home, and as a perfectionist, she was known to keep it meticulously clean. Donna was the biggest fan of her beloved grandchildren and took an interest in all of their various activities. She and Jack loved to travel, and she was especially fond of the family trip they took to Maine. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, canning and baking. She was renowned for her chocolate chip cookies. Donna spent many years babysitting before she started working at the Ovisco Company in Celina and later at the family business, Kinninger Production Welding.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn and Deacon Mr. Greg Bornhorst officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen. Calling hours will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and also from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Condolences to the family can be left on the funeral home website at GilbergHartwigFH.com.