Donna "D.J." Jean (Bodell) Kohler

Donna Jean “D.J.” Kohler, 97, passed away at 4:47 a.m. on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at Otterbein Senior Life Center, Cridersville, Ohio.

D.J. was born October 3, 1923, in Waynesfield, Ohio, to the late Date and Esther (Heintz) Bodell.  On September 10, 1944, she married William Davis “Bill” Weygandt, who preceded her in death on April 25, 1972.  She married C.E. “Bill” Stiles on September 25, 1976, who passed away on September 3, 1996.  On March 28, 2004, she married Edward William “Bill” Kohler who preceded her in death on July 26, 2018.

D.J. graduated from Waynesfield High School in 1941.  After graduation, she was Secretary to the Superintendents of Waynesfield School District.  She worked as a lathe operator at Westinghouse to support the war effort in 1943.  She was employed for many years at the office of Dr. David Nielsen, M.D, in Waynesfield.  She later served as the Administrative Assistant to the Common Pleas Judge for Auglaize County.  After retiring from the court system, she worked at Elder-Beerman in Lima, Ohio where she managed the bridal department.  D.J. was a dedicated member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Waynesfield American Legion Post and received Life Membership (20 years of service) in 2019 from the Lima Memorial Health System Volunteer Auxiliary.  She was also an active member of the B.P.W. (Business and Professional Women) and Red Hat Society of Lima, Ohio. She was a life member of The United Methodist Church, most recently Trinity United Methodist Church of Lima, where she was an active member of the church choir for many years.

She is survived by brother Tom (Pat) Bodell of Wapakoneta, Ohio; daughters Cynthia Weygandt of Cincinnati, OH and Melody Gillette of Anderson, IN; son Marty Weygandt (Cindy) of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Shannon Gillette, Natalie (Adam) Schlosser and Nicholas Weygandt; two great grandchildren, William and Preston; five step-children; fifteen step-grandchildren; and numerous step-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the funeral home. Friends may visit one hour prior to the funeral service.  Rev. John Foster and Chaplain Peter Citerin will officiate.  Burial will be at Willow Branch Cemetery, Waynesfield, OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lima Memorial Health System Auxiliary or Trinity United Methodist Church.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com .