SPENCERVILLE — Donald LeRoy Staples, 90, of Spencerville, went to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 5:54 PM Friday, December 21, 2018 near his winter home at the Winter Haven Hospital in Florida, with his family at his side following a short illness.

He was born January 11, 1928 in Lima, a son of the late John A. and Elsie Viola Reed Staples. On October 7, 1950 he married Dolores A. Stout, who survives.

Also surviving are his children; Debra A. (John C. "Chuck") Dillon and Dennis M. (Regina M. "Gina") Staples, both of Spencerville; Donita L. (Dana J.) Miller of Elida and Daniel B. (Judith A.) Staples of Delphos; 11 grandchildren; Candice (Michael Boisvert) Dillon of Pandora; Matthew (Kelcey Van Dyke) Dillon of Plainwell, MI.; Melissa (Drue) Kinney of Piqua; Michele (Neil) Brown of Spencerville; Michael Staples of Elida; Tara (Joe) Lafferty of Kenosha, WI.; Donald (Karinda) Miller of Elida; Deanna (Denny) Purdy of Lima; Derek (Samantha) Miller of Venedocia; Jonathan (Lindsey) Staples of Delphos and Nathan (Anna Slonaker) Staples of Delphos and 25 great grandchildren.

His siblings; Opal (Fred) Blodgett; Victor Wilson Staples; Virginia Frueh; Della (Harold) Straker; John (Ruth) Staples and Mary (Frank "Pete") Burkholder are all deceased. Don was the youngest of seven.

Don was a 1945 graduate of Lima Central High School and joined the Navy during WW II. He retired as a tool and die maker and maintenance foreman at the Lima Engine Plant of Ford Motor Company after 30 years service.

He attended the Spencerville First Baptist Church. In addition to his loving family, he enjoyed woodworking, landscape painting and sports, especially golf and tennis.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Pastor Jim Fletcher officiating. Military rites will follow the services by the Navy Honor Guard and the Spencerville Veterans. Burial will then follow in the Spencerville Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 until 8 PM Wednesday and after 9:30 AM Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com