Donald L Loose

Donald Leroy Loose, 87, of Sylvania, Ohio passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025. He was born January 9, 1938 in Brush, Colorado to George and Pauline (Kaufmann) Loose. Don was the youngest of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lawrence and Rineholdt, and his sister, Lillian Urbach. He is survived by his sister, Gladys Knaus.

Don was interested in automotive design and model building in Junior High. This led to him entering the Fisher Body Craftsmen’s Guild in High School and winning several awards. Don graduated from Fort Morgan Jr.-Sr. High School in June of 1956, and obtained a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Colorado on August 6, 1960.

After graduation, Don joined the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps, serving as a 2 nd Lt. in Seoul, Korea for 13 months. On July 1, 1961, Don married Nancy Hertel in South Bend, IN. Don and Nancy lived in Warren, Michigan, and were active members at Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church and other community organizations. They were blessed with four children: Gregory, Brian, Sharyl, and Brenda. As a family, they enjoyed sports, camping, and many community activities. Don briefly worked as an engineer at Chevrolet and Chrysler, but the majority of his career was at the Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) in Warren. In August 1966, Don accepted a promotion to Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged from the Reserves on March 7, 1969. Don’s first wife Nancy died of cancer in May of 1982.

On June 2, 1984, Don married Naomi (Weinman) Strang, adding Debra and Mark to the family. Don loved music and sang in the church and community chorus’ for many years. In 1996, he started genealogy research and compiling his family history. Throughout the years, Don and Naomi enjoyed many travel adventures together within the U.S. and overseas.

Don is survived by his wife Naomi, his sons Greg (Diane) Loose, Brian (Michelle) Loose, Sharyl (Ruth Kowalczyk) Loose, Brenda (Russell) Niesz, Debra (Charles) Fahncke, and Mark Strang. Don enjoyed spending time with his eight grandchildren Beckett, Asher, Kierstin, Logan, Hannah, Olivia, Michael, and Elizabeth.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation at Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania, OH on Friday January 17, 2025, at 10:00am, with funeral service at 11:00am. Interment will be at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy, MI at a later date. Special thanks to the staff at the Lakes of Sylvania and Hospice of Northwest of Ohio for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Olivet Lutheran Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

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