Donna M. Forbes

Donna M. (Hesrick) Forbes, age 98, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Fountain Park Assisted Living in Bryan. She had been under the care of Heartland Hospice of Whitehouse for over 2 years. She was loved by the staff at Fountain Park, also. Donna had a great desire and will to continue living.

Donna was born on August 6, 1926, in Melbern, Ohio, the daughter of Kenneth Wando and Doris M. (Strup) Hesrick. 

Donna was a graduate of Bryan High School in 1944. After graduating, she worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice as a clerk. Upon returning to Bryan, she was a night manager at Sheet’s Dairy Bar and also worked with her mom (Doris) at Ruth’s Restaurant in Bryan. She was also co-owner of Forbes Grocery in Bryan. Avronwood Kennel was bought in 1966 and Donna and family raised collies, dachshunds, poodles and St. Bernards. She even got published in the Ohio Farmer magazine. Donna was also a 4-H horse advisor. For more than 40 years she taught and directed Contract Bridge games in Northwestern Ohio. Then in 1994, she became a Life Master of American Contract Bridge League. 

Donna is survived by her sons, Terry Forbes, of West Unity and John (Renee Criswell) Forbes, of Stryker; daughter, Jane (Michael) Woolace, of Stryker; grandchildren, Jeremiah Forbes and Matthew (Amy Blough) Forbes, both of Fort Wayne and Amanda (Nick) Garman, of Auburn, IN; bonus grandchildren, Tiffany Johnson and Nathan Carlin, 2 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and a step great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Orval Deffenbaugh; son, Barry Forbes; granddaughter, Nicole Forbes; brother, Denver Hesrick and sisters, Betty Hesrick and Thelma VanPoppel. 

Visitation for Donna will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. A celebration of Donna’s life will begin at 3:00pm with April Sloan leading the service. 

Memorials are requested to the Cancer Assistance of Williams County.