Obituary of Donald Reau

Donald Joseph Reau Jr.was born April 19, 1932. He was one of five children born from the union of the late Donald Joseph Reau Sr. and the late Laura (Sager) Reau. Donald was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Toledo. Donald married the love of his life, Carmen Skeels on November 15, 1952 at St. Catherine's of Sienna in Toledo. He supported his family as a Foreman for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company for forty-three years, retiring in 1993. Donald was outgoing and full of life. He had the ability to light up any room he entered and enjoyed making people laugh. Donald kept busy, whether it was home construction or working in the yard. He was a member of the Pioneer Club of Ohio Bell and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #197. Donald was a big College and NFL football fan and served as the High School Coach at the Catholic Youth Organization. Family meant the world to Donald. He was a supportive husband and father and cherished his grandchildren who named him "Pipi." Donald Joseph Reau Jr. age 82, passed away at 8:50am on October 1, 2014 at home. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by a brother, Edward "Uncle Butch" Reau. To cherish his memory, Donald leaves his wife of sixty-one years, Carmen Reau; five children: Scarlett Souva, Donald Joseph (Deborah) Reau III, James (Jennifer) Reaux, Elizabeth (William Sr. ) Horst and Karen Reau; two brothers: Gerald (Nancy) Reau and Michael (Brenda) Reau; one sister: Pat Riley; nine grandchildren: Samantha (Eric) Oberliesen, Steven Souva Jr., Sadie (Mark) Neely, Madeline Reau, Abigail Reau, Haley Reaux, Hunter Reaux, William Horst Jr. and Isabella Horst; five great-great grandchildren: Kaydence, Nathan, Aubrey, Dillon, and Molly. Friends may gather from 10:00am-12:00pm on Tuesday October 7, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2214 Manhattan Street, Erie. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 12:00pm on October 7, 2014 also at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father David Cybuski officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Erie (734) 848-5185. Cremation will follow. The Family would like to thank Northwest Ohio Hospice nurses Cindi, Kim and Terry for the special care they provided for Donald. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Northwest Ohio Hospice. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.