Donna Blakely Obituary

Donna Jean Blakely

Dec 30, 1935 - Mar 3, 2025

Sandusky

Donna Jean (Riedy) Blakely, 89, of Sandusky, passed away peacefully early Monday afternoon, March 3, 2025, with her family at her side in Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky.

Born on December 30, 1935, in Sandusky, the daughter of Arthur Leander and Dorothy Emelia (Pooch) Riedy. She was a 1954 graduate of St. Mary's High School. Donna Jean had worked as a cashier at Kroger for a few years prior to getting married to the love of her life, her husband, David, October 29, 1955. She then took pride as a homemaker and a loving mother raising her family and grandchildren.

Donna Jean will be remembered by her family for her enjoyment of cooking and gardening, especially tending to her rose and vegetable gardens. She was also an avid bowler, having bowled over the years in a variety of couples and singles bowling leagues, like "Hook Line and Sinkers." She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Donna Jean is survived by her two daughters, Deborah A. (Jim Harris) Blakely and Christine M. (Christopher) Fresch and her son, David L. (Vanessa) Blakely, Jr., all of Sandusky; eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Edmund) Weyer, Jason (Charity Seville) Fresch, Chelsea (Elliott) Holstrom, Jessica (Ben Roberts) Blakely, David L. (Patty Davis) Blakely III, Isabella, Matthew and Dominic Blakely; nine great-grandchildren, Madison (C.J. Ticknor) and Morgan Weyer, Cooper and Brody Fresch, Hunter Lee Blakely, Josie Holstrom, Adelai, Violet and Noah Roberts; a brother, Bob (Kathy) Riedy; a sister, Dorothy Ann Gosser, both of Sandusky; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (Blakely) Koelsch of Castalia and Marie Blakely of Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, David L. Blakely Sr. on February 19, 2021; and two brothers, Daniel "Danny" and Ronald A. Riedy.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2025, at David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Prayers will be recited Monday morning, March 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky, with the Rev. Prashanth Kumar officiating. At request of the family, cremation will take place following the services.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870; Stein Hospice Service, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, 417 Quarry Lakes Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870.

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Donna Jean's family at davidfkoch.com.