Thomas H. Donley, 66

Thomas H. Donley, 66 of Polk, passed away early Monday morning, September 30, 2024 at Ohio Health MedCentral Hospital.

He was born on January 27, 1958 in Ashland, the son of the late William E. and Mary L. (nee Turner) Donley.

Tom was a 1976 graduate of Mapleton High School. Following his graduation, he went on to attend Ashland College.

He married the love of his life, the former Terri L. McCracken, on April 10th 1987. 

After more than 30 years, Tom retired in 2017 from the Cuyahoga Group, a vending company. Outside of work, Tom maintained a very active schedule, always leading by example and with a servant's heart. For more than 20 years, Tom proudly served on both Mapleton Local Schools and Ashland West Holmes Career Center boards of education. He was a 40 year member of the Polk Lions Club where he was a Melvin Jones Award recipient. Tom was also a member of the Ashland Eagles Aerie #2178 and a devoted member of the Polk United Methodist Church. He was a 20+ year volunteer of the Polk Fire Department. Tom was an advocate for organ donation as he was the recipient of a double lung transplant in 2017. 

He was an avid sports enthusiast cheering for all Cleveland teams and The Ohio State Buckeyes. He enjoyed bowling both at King and Luray Lanes in leagues over the years. Tom spent many summers running the Polk Little League and coaching. Tom loved to travel to North Carolina to support his grandsons and spending quality time with his granddaughter during the weekdays.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Terri Donley of Polk; his two children, Tyler (Suzanne) Donley of Ashland and Taylor (Chad) Riffel of Timberlake, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Zayne Riffel, Denver Riffel, and Madison Donley; and two sisters-in-law, Janey Donley of Jellico, Tennessee and Candy Donley of Polk. His family would not be complete without mention of canine companions, Ivy and Hawkeye.

In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his two brothers, Richard and John Donley.

Funeral services will be held, Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Reverend Jan Sprague presiding. Interment will follow in the Nankin Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, October 4, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Polk Lion's club will host services at the conclusion of the last visitation at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends may also visit one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Polk United Methodist Church, 424 N. Main Street, Polk, Ohio 44866 or to Mapleton Local Schools, 1 Mountie Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home's website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.