Donald James Staley, a longtime resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, peacefully passed away on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was a faithful member of Gretna Brethren Church for 50 years.
Jim was preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Glenn Keith. He is survived by his devoted wife, Bonnie; his brother, Mike (Barbara) Staley; his daughters, Jamie (Jim) Henry, Mary Royer, and Kim (Ray) Davis; and his son, Rex (Stephanie) Staley; 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Jim was deeply loved and cherished by his many family members and friends.
Jim was born on February 6, 1935, in Canton, Ohio, but lived most of his earlier years in Middletown, Ohio. As a young man, he enjoyed farming, hunting, and riding horses, interests that shaped his lifelong connection to the land. In 1970, he purchased a property in Logan County where he raised his family while operating a dairy farm until his retirement in 2018. He was a director for the Board of Logan County Fair for 35 years.
Jim’s passions included traveling, deer hunting, attending local sporting events, cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals, and The Ohio State Buckeyes, and most of all spending time with his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers (as Jim is donating his body to Ohio State University for research), donations in Jim’s memory may be made to your local FFA high school chapter to support the Future Farmers of America.
