William “Fred” Donley, 81, of Wooster passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at his residence.
He was born April 9, 1942, in Wooster the son of John C. and Naomi Ruth Rouch Donley. On June 9, 1968, he married Janis L. Gandee. She survives.
Fred served his country proudly with the United States Army. He had retired from The Timken Company, in Wooster, in 2001 after having worked there for 25 years as a mechanic. Fred had also been co-owner of 3C Salvage and owner of Hearthstone Log Homes of Ohio, both in Wooster. He was a historian of Wooster and Wayne County, Ohio. With this interest came Fred’s desire to be a collector of local memorabilia, especially muzzleloading rifles made right here in Wayne County. He was a loving and wonderful husband to his wife Janis for over 55 years, especially over the last year-and-a-half as Fred became her caretaker after Janis had suffered a stroke. Together, Fred and Janis throughout their lives were very involved in their community by becoming active members of many clubs and organizations.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Janis, are their children Sean (Karen) Donley of Wooster, Shane (Carrie) Donley of Fresno, Crystal Robinson of Shreve, and Kyle Donley of Wooster; grandchildren Michaela Donley, Zachary Donley, Mack Donley, Matthew Ritterbeck, Elizabeth (Kohl) Mast, Baillie (Timothy) Schlabach, Wyatt Donley, Jack Ritterbeck, Ivy Donley, Miles Robinson, McCoy Robinson, and Marshall Robinson; great-grandchildren Remington Henry, Rowen Mast, and Raelynn Ritterbeck; and his sister Reba Jane Zeleny of Eugene, OR.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00AM at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., in Wooster with Pastor Dan Wingate officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Plain Lutheran Cemetery, in Wooster.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the funeral home, and also 1-hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to: County Line Historical Society, P.O. Box 614, Shreve, OH 44676.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
We are so sorry to hear about Fred’s passing. We will be praying for the family. Love, Charlotte Campbell and David and Patty Nielsen ❤️
Lots of hugs and prayers to you and your family. You are always in our thoughts. Ike and Tina Johnston
Our family sends sincere condolences to all of you on the passing of your dad. We always enjoyed visiting both of your parents and our kids loved seeing the animals. Adam knows the animals by name. We will really miss Fred.
I’m sorry for your loss. He was so kind to our third graders at Shreve Elementary School. He would share his guns and knowledge when we went to the historical museum.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Fred. There are many memories shared during our younger years of 4-H and paling around together through life’s journey.
May you all find peace and comfort in sharing the precious memories of the many years together.
We are so sorry to hear this. Fred was the family historian and his efforts will be missed. Our love and prayers to Janis and the family. God Bless you all. So sorry we will not be able to attend the services as we are in Texas for the winter.
Our Extreme condolences to the ENTIRE FRED DONLEY Family
YOU are all in our PRAYERS,.
Freddie really liked talking with me on the phone, and he or I always had suggestions
and comments for the other one! The Best ONE (ome of the BEST) he instated I send him a
the foto of the Applemans at our Reunion in the early 1960 so he could make for me an enlargement of the
scene at the Blachleyville for me to have.
Wow! The things we conversed abpout, and all the LOVE he gave to JAN in her condition.
A REAL FAMILY GUY and FATHER, Grandfather, and MORE!
Jimmy Appleman (He still called me Jimmy & I loved this!) and Gene of MAINE
Our Extreme condolences to the ENTIRE FRED DONLEY Family
YOU are all in our PRAYERS,.
Freddie really liked talking with me on the phone, and he or I always had suggestions
and comments for the other one! The Best ONE (one of the BEST) he instated I send him a
the foto of the Applemans at our Reunion in the early 1960’s so he could make for me an enlargement of the
scene at the Blachleyville picnic for me to have.
Wow! The things we conversed abpout, and all the LOVE he gave to JAN in her condition.
A REAL FAMILY GUY and FATHER, Grandfather, and MORE!
Jimmy Appleman (He still called me Jimmy & I loved this!) and Gene of MAINE
We are praying for you all with the Loss of Fred. May God give you all peace at this difficult time.
Have known Fred for many years. Sorry to hear he has gone to the Lord.
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved spending time with your mom and dad. Fred will be greatly missed by many. My prayers for peace and comfort.
Sean, we are so sorry for your loss. What a kind man he was. I enjoyed visiting with him when you were here. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Sincerely, Barb.
Back in the 1960’s there was a group of us who ran around together, going to Fairs, Square Danced, were members of Wayne County Rural Youth & we would all get pizza together. We all loved going to Fred’s mom & dad’s house. In the winter, we would sled down the hills on his parents farm & they always had snacks for us. RIP Fred. Prayers for your family. Ruthie Kister Podd
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed waiting on him at Wooster PO. Prayers
Deepest sympathy to the Donley family. The Chambers
Fred was always the colorful one in our family gatherings! He always had a story to tell. I’ll never forget the time at the old farm when he had the pet skunk and we thought it was the pet that got out. NOPE! it was a wild skunk! He just ran, snatched it by the tail and flung it in the field! So many wonderful memories. I’m praying for our whole family. I love all of you and wish we could be love. Love and hugs from Texas.
Sincere condolences to Janis and the family and friends. Fred was a warm,loving and comical, gentle man. He always had a good story to tell. Rest peacefully Fred 🙏
To Fred’s Family and Friends, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. May God, and the many good memories, sustain you; now and also in the future.. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families. Sincere condolences from Art Beerys, Smithville, Ohio
We give our condolence to the Fred Donley family. He was the best historian for Wayne Co. He will be missed for his knowledge. We pray for Janice and the family at this difficult time. Carl and Marilyn Schmid
Mr Donley was such a a nice man, he and my dad (Stan Orr) worked at Timken together and dad thought so highly of Fred! I’m sure they have some projects they’re working on together again! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, Rest in peace Fred!
So sorry to hear of Fred’s passong. He was a wonderful man. He always made every thing fun. Loved my times with Fred and Janis, so many wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers for the entire family.
Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family.
I am so sad to hear of Fred’s passing. I knew him a long time. we did a lot of trading of artifacts. My thoughts and prayers to the family. I will miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences to the Donley Family at your loss. Fred was such an interesting and kind man. I knew him through my business, as he was quite the collector of local memorabilia. He will be missed by many.
My condolences to Fred’s family. I went to school and Church with Fred and remember winter sled riding on the hill in front of his parents farm. He was a good man and loved history.
Barbara and I send our prayers and condolences to the family . Fred and I had a common interest in muzzle loading rifles. Lots of great conversations with him. David Bowser, Ashland
Our prayers and condolences go out to the Donley family with the loss of Fred, what a great friend he was. We had many wonderful times with Fred, Janis and the family when they joined our Mid Ohio Mopar Club in the 1990’s. He was so proud of his 1968 original Dodge Super Bee that he ordered from Walter Bates Dodge and loved to drive it everywhere. He had a lot of great stories to tell us about the fun times he had with his car back then and also loved to go to different cruise ins and car shows around Wooster. He also enjoyed being a part of the Mopar Survivor Club and attending their shows around Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Tom & Sharon Potter
Good friend! Sorry to hear of your loved one passed away. Sold him lots of milk bottles! Did not know this until last night at our Ohio Bottle Club monthly meeting. RIP friend.
You have my deepest sympathy at the loss of Fred. My husband and I were in the New Year’s eve party group.