Donald E. Straley, our beloved father, went to be with the Lord on May 25, 2014.
He was born January 27, 1932 to William Hobart and Hazel (Zettle) Straley in North Baltimore.
He attended North Baltimore public school during his grade school years from 1937-1942 and graduated from
Van Buren High School in 1949.
He joined the Air Force during the Korean War on April 10, 1951 and served until April 10, 1955. He was
an Air Craft and Engine (A&E) mechanic and a Jet Engine Specialist. He served in Germany with
the 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron as part of the Occupational Force in Germany and as part of the NATO
Forces during the Cold War.
He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Anne Leaf, on October 18, 1952.
He farmed in the North Baltimore area until 1969 and worked at Cooper Tire and Rubber Company for 34
years retiring in the spring of 1993.
He and Mary raised five children in rural North Baltimore and were active in their lives. Don served as a
Boy Scout leader from 1968 to 1973 for pack 313 in Van Buren. He instilled in his children a strong
sense of faith and taught them the importance of a good sense of humor. Don and Mary hosted many Zettle
reunions at the farm during the 1970s through 1990s and loved being surrounded by family and friends. He
especially loved the visits from his grandchildren and watching them grow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 51 years; brothers: Norman (Erma) and Melvin
(Beverly) Straley; sisters: Orma (Forest) Altman and Kathleen (Edward) Grogg; and an infant son, Edward
Hobart.
He is survived by his children: James (Maria), Don (Traci), Laura Straley, Donna (Ken) Dulgar, and
Melissa Blakely; seven grandchildren: Amanda (Peter) Hession, Keith Straley, Erin Straley, Troy Dulgar,
Tracy Dulgar, Elizabeth Blakely, and Jessica Blakely; great-grandchildren: Camerin Straley, Erik
Straley, and Jocelyn Straley; and several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
Friends and family are welcome to visit SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME in North Baltimore from 4 to 8 p.m. on
Wednesday, May 28, 2014.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic
Church, North Baltimore with Rev. Msgr. Mike Hohenbrink officiating.
Interment will be in Bethel (10 mile) Cemetery in North Baltimore.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Holy Family Catholic Church or St.
Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.
Condolences can be sent via www.coldrencrates.com.
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