Donna L. Harris - Pelz

Donna L. Harris - Pelz, 86 of Bluffton, passed away on Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2025, at Byron Health Center in Fort Wayne. She was born on February 22, 1939, in Marion, Indiana to Albert & Lucile (Kirkpatrick) Myer. After graduating from Sweetser High School in 1957, Donna completed her Associate of Science from Purdue University in 1971 and went back to Purdue to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1983. She worked as a registered nurse at Caylor-Nickel Clinic, Wells Community Hospital and the V.A. Hospital in Fort Wayne, until she retired in 2001. She was a longtime member of the Bluffton First Nazarene Church, Nurses Organization of Veteran’s Affairs, American Nursing Association, and Indiana Nurses Association. On May 30, 1959, in Jalapa, Indiana, Donna married Paul R. Harris. They shared 34 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on December 24, 1993. On May 19, 1995, Donna married Raymond G. Pelz in Bluffton. He preceded her in death on June 22, 2019. Survivors include her daughters; MaDonna (Erick) Butler of Fort Wayne and Paula Brown of Bluffton She is also survived by her step-children; Greg (Shelly) Pelz, Rhonda (Chris) Freeman and Robin (Charles) Blomeke, all of Fort Wayne, along with 4 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 brothers, Larry (Beth) Myer of Greentown and Gene Myer of Van Buren, Indiana and a half-brother, Brad (Margaret) White of Coatesville, IN. Donna is preceded in death by her parents, husbands and a stepson, Chris Pelz and 2 step-grandchildren. Visitation will take place from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Friday, (March 28, 2025) at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, (March 29, 2025) at the funeral home with Chaplin John Eakin and Pastor Mike Tarr officiating. Burial will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Disabled American Veterans or to the Bluffton First Nazarene Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send condolences online to the family at www.thomarich.com.

Donna L. Harris - Pelz

February 22, 1939 - March 22, 2025