Donald Bolen

Donald Bolen, 82, of Fremont passed away on Monday, August 11, 2014 surrounded by his family at home. He was born on June 24, 1932 to Edgar and Lucille (Fry) Bolen in Fremont. Donald was a 1951 graduate of Fremont Ross High School. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and Germany in 1955. He married Joan Buehler on December 28, 1955 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lindsey. She survives him. Donald owned and operated Highland Jersey Farms for many years until his retirement in 2007. Donald was a 4-H advisor for 15 years, past president and member of Lindsey Lions Club. He served on the Sandusky County Agricultural Society for 23 years; succeeding his father, Edgar, and grandfather, Albert; and also on the Farmer's Mercantile Elevator Board as Secretary when they merged with Elmore to form Lin-Mor Inc. He then served several more years as Secretary. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Donald was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, was the Farmer of the Year for Sandusky County in 1990, member of American Jersey Cattle Association, Ohio Jersey Breeders Association where he received the Pioneer Service Award. He showed Jersey Cattle at Local, State, and National Shows, where in 1990, he had the National Grand Champion Jersey Female at the North American International Livestock Show, and National Reserve Grand Champion Jersey Female in 1991. He had bred and raised both animals on the farm. Donald is also survived by children, Terry (Susan) Bolen, James "Jim" (Jodi) Bolen of Fremont, and David (Dawn) Bolen of Oak Harbor; twin sister, Donna Jean (Henry) Otten of Coronado, CA; and grandchildren, Marc, Allison, Trent, Meagan, Marissa, Zachary, and Christine Bolen. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Bolen; and sister-in-law, Doris Rhodes Bolen. Visitation will be held at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Church, Fremont with one hour of visitation being held prior to the start of the service at church. Rev. Robert Young will be officiating. Burial will take place at Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Lindsey. Donations may be made to Hospice of Memorial Hospital, to Faith Lutheran Church, or to its Altar Guild in Donald's memory.