Obituary of Donald Franklin Carnes

Donald Franklin Carnes was born on June 24, 1942 in Toledo.   He was the oldest of two sons born from the union of the late Aldred Franklin and the late Rowena Alice (Zerbe) Carnes.   Donald attended Woodward High School graduating with the Class of 1961.   He enlisted in the United States Navy serving his country honorably.   Donald attended Monroe County Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree as a Journeyman Machine Repairman.

Not afraid of a challenge or hard work, Donald worked in many different positions throughout his lifetime.   He began working for Ford Motor Company in 1962 as a machine repairman later earning a position as a Supervisor.   He worked at the Monroe Stamping Plant for most of his career although because of his management capabilities he was moved to Texas to work at the Laredo Ford plant from 1987 until 1995.   Donald retired in 1997 after thirty-two years of service.

Donald married the love of his life, Louise Danyi, on July 15, 1967 at St. Stephen’s Church in Toledo.   The couple was blessed with three children.   Donald was a wonderful husband and father and a phenomenal cook.   He had a great sense of humor and truly enjoyed being around others.   Always having something interesting to say, and without an inside voice, he was surely the life of every party. 

Donald was very intelligent with a photographic memory.   An eloquent speaker, he was an unpaid dispenser of philosophical knowledge.   With a love of boating, Donald became a charter boat captain after his retirement from Ford, although he took every opportunity to hone his golf game.      

Donald Franklin Carnes, age 76 of Monroe, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

To cherish his memory, Donald leaves his beloved wife of fifty-one years: Louise; three children:  Alan (Pauline) Carnes of Lakewood, Ohio; Amy (Mike) Thompson of Grand Isle, Vermont, and Ann (Ryan) Hauser) of Monroe; a brother: Robert of Toledo; twelve grandchildren: Donovan, Oliver, Benjamin, Jacob, Sylvia, Vera, Hazel, Naomi, Samantha, Bryan, Michael and Jennifer.

Friends may gather on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070.   Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, August 6, 2018 also at Merkle’s.

Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.