Donald E. Kirwen

Lifelong Gibsonburg resident and business owner, Donald E. Kirwen, age 81, died Saturday, March 1, at the Otterbein Portage Valley Nursing Home in Pemberville, after suffering from Alzheimers.

Don was born on December 24, 1926 in Gibsonburg to the now deceased Raymond P. and Hilda (Dumminger) Kirwen. He graduated from the Gibsonburg High School in 1944 and on May 21, 1952 he married Marcella Dolweck at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Gibsonburg. She survives. As a Staff Sgt. in the U. S. Army, Don served his country during the Korean Conflict. Afterwards he went into partnership with his father and brother, Raymond Bud C., in the operation of Kirwens Supermarket. After Buds retirement in 1986, Don continued as the sole proprietor of the store. Don was a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church, the Gibsonburg Business Association and the American Legion Post in Gibsonburg. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and spending time at his cottage.

Surviving are his children Donald M. (Jan) of Gibsonburg, Thomas (Deb) of Helena, Brenda (Peter) Norton of Gibsonburg, Patrick (Diana) of Cincinnnati, Bill (Connie) of Gibsonburg, Steve (Kathy) of Perrysburg, Warren (Sherri) of Oregon, Andy (Beth) of Gibsonburg, Phillip (Julie) of Cincinnati, Greg (Karen) of Sylvania and Julie (Tab) Bickford of Gibsonburg; 24 grandchildren; and sisters Carol (Chuck) Holcomb of Helena, Mary (Bob) Herman and Rita (Bill) Brown all of Gibsonburg and Nancy Kirwen and friend Jane Karau of Erie, Michigan, sister-in-law Bernadine Kirwen of Gibsonburg and many nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, brother Raymond Bud C. , sister Margaret Peggy Wonderly, brother-in-law John Wonderly and grandchildren Joshua Patrick and Kate Anne.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Michaels Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 5, 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Ted Miller officiating. Family and friends will be received on Tuesday from 2-9 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Gibsonburg, where vigil services will be that evening. Burial with military rites held by the Gibsonburg American Legion Honor Guard will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Gibsonburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donalds memory may be made to the Gibsonburg Veterans Memorial, St. Michaels Church or to the charity of the donors choice.