Donald J. Trhlin

Donald J. Trhlin, 90, of Mentor, died January 5, 2025 at University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Twp. He was born June 17, 1934 in Cleveland. A U.S. Army veteran who proudly served his country from 1957 to 1959. After his service completed in 1959 Donald started his career as a Draftsman for E.F Hauserman in Cleveland Ohio. In 1967 Donald and his wife of 65 years Frances, moved to Lake County Ohio when Donald accepted a position with the Lake County Engineer’s Office. Donald held many positions with the Engineer’s Office until his retirement in 1997. Donald loved photography so much that he got a part time job and his first purchase was a camera. He loved to make people laugh and smile and had a gift at capturing those moments in time. Raising four children and being blessed with three grandchildren he often said he spent 40 years viewing life through a one inch screen and that he loved every minute of it. He had a fond affection for aviation and especially the WWII US B-17 Bomber which he had an opportunity to ride in and was a highlight in his life. Donald was also quite an athlete, excelling at both basketball and softball with the Holy Name Society. He later played softball for St. Gabriel Parish until his sons began their sports careers and he became their biggest fan. Other than his wife Frances, his one true love was the Christmas Season. No one celebrated or loved Christmas as much as Donald. Driving only a white, red or silver car with his license plate “CRISMAS” he made every attempt to celebrate throughout the year, providing donuts to his coworkers on the 25th of each month, to his frequent visits to Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland in Michigan to the simple Christmas cards he sent out early every year, he showed that Christmas is not just a season, Christmas is a way of life. Donald celebrated everyday with kindness, compassion and laughter, his smiling face and beautiful blue eyes will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Survivors include his wife, Frances Trhlin; sons, Brian Trhlin and Robert Trhlin; and his grandchildren, Christina Trhlin, Nathan (Anna) Trhlin, and Robert (Hannah) Trhlin Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Trhlin; his sister Laverne Cash and his daughters, Donna and Marie Trhlin. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral mass to honor Donald’s life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor, OH 44060. (Please meet at the church) Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to, Donna’s Christmas Trees, 1802 Spruce Lane, Painesville, Ohio 44077. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Donald J. Trhlin

June 17, 1934 - January 5, 2025