Donald E. Spalding

Donald E. Spalding, 81, passed away Saturday at his home, surrounded by his family. The son of Edward and Cecelia, he was born in Toledo on November 13, 1930. Don attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1948. His long and fulfilling career was spent with Seaway Foodtown. Starting out as a high school student bagging groceries for his Uncle, Wally Iott, Dons hard work soon earned him the position of meat cutter. Through his dedication to safety, detail, and attention to customers, he was promoted to meat manager, then meat supervisor. His final role at Foodtown was vice president of meat operations, a position he held for 18 years. He retired in 1992 after 44 years of service. With Donna, his wife of 29 years, Don enjoyed seeing the world: Australia, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, cruises, and several houseboat trips in Kentucky. Don was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Great Northern Sportsman Club. Hunting duck and pheasant took him to many places in the country. His favorites were the trips to Arkansas with his brother, sons and nephew. He also enjoyed sailing and boating and was a member of Toledo Beach Marina and Harbor View Yacht Club. Whether it be by sail or powerboat, he loved spending summers navigating the waters of Lake Erie and enjoying the company of friends at Put-in-Bay. Don was happiest being on the water with his family, teaching the grandkids about boating, fishing, water safety, and water skiing, and enjoying the lake view from his home. Don loved to play cards, andplayed Euchre every Saturday with friends at the gun club. He enjoyed the card tournaments that were a part of family holiday celebrations, taking great pride in teaching the grandchildren papas version of the game. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Jeffrey Jan Spalding, Leslie Mark Kott, Douglas Jenny Spalding, Sue Frank Hughes; step children, John Greene, Roxanne Gordon, Diane Jeffrey Haynes, MikeKim Greene; 24 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren;and brother-in-law Andy Carr. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet; his sister Patricia Carr; brother William Spalding; and sister-in-law Joan Spalding. Friends may visit the family on Friday from 2pm 8pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. with a rosary at 7pm. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11am at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551 or Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Rd., Toledo, OH 43606. Condolences may be sent to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.