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Donna Jean Burkholder Bliss, age 81, of Archbold, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at the Lutheran Nursing and Rehab Center after living with cancer for the past 2.5 years.
Born November 16, 1932 at home in Ridgeville, she was the youngest child of Maurice and Alma (Bachman) Burkholder. She grew up attending Ridgeville School, and following a move to Wauseon during her last years of high school, she graduated from Wauseon in 1950. On September 30, 1951, she married Paul Bliss, who preceded her in death on April 25, 2005. She is also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lowell and Melvin Burkholder, and sister Leona Quint.
Donna devoted her life to making a warm and loving home for her husband and her children. She enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, and other craft projects, as well as playing the organ and singing. Her love for children and learning led her to volunteer as a classroom aide for 10 years at the former Pike Township School. She also worked as a secretary at Fulton Industries, Wauseon, for several years prior to her husband’s retirement. Up until her hospitalization and subsequent nursing home care in April, 2011, she was active at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold, and served as a Stephen Minister.
She is survived by sons Doug (Patricia) Bliss of Columbus, Terry (Miranda) Bliss of Wilmington, DE, and daughters Barbara (Lonnie) Kendrick of Knoxville, AR, and Sue (Stan) Short of Archbold; 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Zion Mennonite Church, 300 Short-Buehrer Rd., Archbold. Following a private burial, the Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold, with Pastor Jeff Kauffman and Pastor Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg, officiating. Suggested memorials are Zion Mennonite Church (student aid fund), or Mennonite Mission Network. Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements.