Thursday, June 26th, 2025
LaDonna Preston
LaDonna Ruth Preston, age 95, of Mendon, Ohio, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 24, 2025, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys.
She was born on September 7, 1929, in Van Wert County to the late Gale W. and Edith M. (Biederman) Baer. On August 6, 1950, LaDonna married the love of her life, Donal L. Preston, who preceded her in death on February 8, 2021. Together, they shared over 70 years of love, laughter, and adventure.
LaDonna is survived by her loving sister, Myrna K. Wolfe of Neptune. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Vernon R. Baer and Leonard Dale Baer; sisters, Margaret Grunden and Lois A. Spohn; brothers-in-law, Jim Grunden, Roger Spohn, and Robert Wolfe; and sister-in-law, Josie L. Baer.
She is also fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who especially loved spending time with her-often gathered around a table playing card games and sharing laughter.
A 1947 graduate of Neptune High School, LaDonna was a cheerleader for the basketball team, where Donal played. She worked as a waitress and later as a bookkeeper at Roebuck & Harmon Elevator in Neptune, Celina Equity, the John Deere Store in Spencerville, and Winkeljohn Printers in Celina. She was also an integral part of the family farm, working alongside Donal with dedication and grace.
A longtime member of the Neptune Church of God, LaDonna loved music-especially listening to Don play the accordion. She collected accordion figurines and treasured photos of Don with his instrument.
One of her greatest joys was line dancing. She danced for over a decade with the "Swinging Seniors" of the Auglaize Council on Aging and also enjoyed dancing at the Mercer County Council on Aging. She was an active member of the Swinging Red Hat Club in St. Marys.
LaDonna and Don shared a deep love of travel. Together, they explored Europe, Great Britain, Scotland, and especially Preston, England, where LaDonna was delighted to find the Preston name widely recognized. A special moment came in Germany, where they discovered her grandfather Biederman's name in a church record book-and enjoyed cheese wrapped in paper bearing the Baer name. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Lucerne, Switzerland, and their 50th in breathtaking Alaska.
Private graveside services will be held at Neptune Cemetery in Neptune, Ohio.
In honor of LaDonna's memory, contributions may be made to Grand Lake Hospice, 1122 E. Spring St., St. Marys, OH 45885.
