Don E. Phelps, 91, of Belle Center, passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2021, at his home.
Don was born in Toledo on Aug. 31, 1929, to the late Walter and Verle (Rice) Phelps. He married the former M. Joan Runnion on Nov. 26, 1950, in Van Wert, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 2004.
Don is survived by a son Frank (Gayle) Phelps of Belle Center; three daughters: Susan (Leonard) Young of Lakeview, Karen (Bob) Blackburn of Lakeview, and Sandy (Harold) Davis of Columbus; a special family friend Tim Alder of Charin Falls; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister Carol Sidle of Van Wert; and many nieces and nephews.
Don was a mentor to many young people over the years. He and Joan were always eager to help them by welcoming them into their home. He was a graduate of York High School in Van Wert County, and worked several farming jobs and then was a herdsman for Paul Good. He then took over the Dale Runnion farm for several years until he moved to the Morton farm near Convoy. In January 1966, he moved the family to Belle Center, near Indian Lake, to partner with the Tom O’Connor family on the farm, which is still going today.
Don was a member of the Logan County Cattle Association, a member of the Belle Center United Methodist Church for many years and in later years attended Indian Lake Community Church. He loved playing cards, watching the OSU Buckeyes and the many campouts at Tin Acres on the banks of Indian Lake. Don enjoyed being with family and keeping track of the farm in his later years.
Friends may call on Monday, March 1, at the Indian Lake Community Church from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. Pastors Jim Ellington and Karen Blackburn will officiate Don’s funeral service on Tuesday, March 2, at 1 p.m., and this will be live streamed via www.IndianLakeCommunityChurch.org. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Belle Center. Due to current pandemic orders, please be symptom free, practice social distancing, and consider wearing a mask.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indian Lake Watershed Project — conservation was very important to Don — in care of Logan County Soil & Water, 324 Co Rd 11, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Phelps family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.