Donald Edward Wilhelm, 95, passed away peacefully on the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025 at his home in Kingsbury Place, Defiance, Ohio. He was born November 25, 1929 in Defiance, Ohio to Edward F. Wilhelm and Beatrice T. Steffel. On April 14, 1956 Don married his forever Valentine, Grace B. V. Meyer, at St. Stephens Catholic Church, Delaware Bend. She predeceased him on November 3, 2024. 

Don is survived by his son, Tom Wilhelm (Charlene) and daughters, Ann Wilhelm (Amer Abu Alfa), Mary Wilhelm-Chapin (Stephen), Barbara (Thomas) Hilgenberg, and Linda (Timothy) Pezzolesi as well as thirteen grandchildren: Daniela Giuliani, Stephen Wilhelm, Joseph Hilgenberg, Adriana Giuliani, Nathaniel Chapin, Alexander Wilhelm (Mazie Bernard), Elizabeth Hilgenberg, Giuseppe Giuliani, Joshua Hilgenberg, Fletcher Chapin, Acadia Pezzolesi (Nicholas Vilardi), Cole Wilhelm, and Sawyer Pezzolesi. He is also survived by his sister, Lee Ann Marshall, and brother-in-law, Louis Simonis.

In addition to his wife and parents, Don was preceded in death by his son, Stephen; daughter, Pamela Wilhelm Giuliani; and his sister, Jean Rohrs.

During his life Don was an active member of St. Stephens Catholic Church (St. Isidore) and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He was a constant and generous donor to Red Cross blood drives. We will miss the warmth and welcome of his hugs which were strong until the end. One daughter said, "Dad's bear hugs always gave me grounding. They felt like home, safe and enveloped in love."  

Don's life will be celebrated Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson-Roessner Chapel (1753 South Clinton Street), Defiance, Ohio. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 1 PM followed by Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kingsbury Place for the incredible care and friendship given to their parents over the past five and a half years.

The family suggests that donations in Don's name be made to the National Parks Conservation Association at support.npca.org or Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, 209 E Washington Ave., Ste 450, Jackson, Michigan 49201.