Don Gillman

What can be said for a life well lived and a life well loved? For Don Gillman, his life was all that and more. A fine example of integrity and honor, he held fast to his intuitive sense of honesty in all he did, and it served him well. A man of character, he was the loving “Moral Rock” for which his family came to rely, respect and admire. Although he will be greatly missed, Don leaves many treasured memories.

Don’s story began on an early fall day as autumn was making its way towards the colder months of winter in the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Marked as one of the most explosive decades of the century, the Roaring Twenties was a time of great change. From the world of fashion to the world of politics, Americans were experiencing a heyday never before seen. An age of prosperity, wages increased and factory towns flourished. It was an especially exciting time in the lives of Alton and Mary (Dykman) Gillman when on September 13, 1926 they welcomed the birth of their son, Donald Alton Gillman.

The second of three children, Don grew up with his older sister, Virginia and younger brother, Chuck. His father supported their family as a tool and die maker at the American Seating Company while his mother, a homemaker, cared for the children. They made their home on the west side of Grand Rapids and within their close knit community Don made many lasting friends. A tried and true “westsider”, he went on to make this area of his childhood his lifelong home.

Great times were shared during the holidays and especially family trips to their cottage. Located on Blue Lake in northern Kent County, Don loved swimming, fishing and enjoyable boyhood adventures there. Although the years of the Great Depression cast a shadow of struggle during his youth, Don and his family made do and held fast throughout these years of hardship.

As a child Don played the trumpet and attended the local schools. He lettered in track at Union High School where he went on to graduate with the Class of 1944. Difficult times once again rocked the nation as the U.S. was embattled in the throes of war during World War II. Like many other young men during this time, Don felt the call to duty. He soon joined the U.S. Navy to help the war effort, serving aboard the USS Prairie. He experienced much during his time of service until the welcome end of war.

After his discharge Don began attending Grand Rapids Junior College where he earned his associates degree. For an additional two years he attended the University of Michigan, and with distinguished honors, he received his business degree, and was a life-long and passionate Wolverine fan. He took a position with Wurzburg’s Department Store and later, like his father before him, the American Seating Company. With an entire lifetime ahead, Don had aspirations for the future, but little did he know that so much more was waiting right around the corner.

Don agreed to be set-up on a blind date with a young woman named Lorraine Eno. Their first date was spent taking in a movie together and from then on they continued dating. Before long they found themselves deeply in love and began making wedding plans. Lorraine allowed Don to choose their wedding date, one he could easily remember, and on April 30, 1949 they were happily married at St. James Church with a reception enjoyed by all at Country Home reception hall. A memorable time honeymooning in New York City gave them a wonderful start to many blessed years together.

The new couple made their first home in an apartment at 721 Butterworth Street where they remained for the next six years. During this time, Don began working for the Attwood Corporation, a manufacturer of boating accessories. With a cherished family to love and a good job under his belt, Don couldn’t have been happier.

They later built a home on Shawmut Boulevard. It was also the home where they welcomed the blessing of children in their lives. Daughter, Nancy came along in 1954 and in 1956 son, David followed. Five years later they packed up once again and moved to a home they built on Oakhurst Avenue which continues to be their home to this day, and where their son, Dan was born in 1960. Don enjoyed tending to the yard and had a large vegetable garden, which he enjoyed working on with his father. In their home, faith played an important role. They were devoted members of Peace Lutheran Church and later, Faith Lutheran Church.

With his family by his side, which later included their much loved grandkids, Don and Lorraine spent memorable summers enjoying their cottage on Blue Lake. They took fun family vacations to Colorado, the Smokey Mountains, Hershey, Pennsylvania, the Wisconsin Dells and explored the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a father, it never mattered to Don if he had put in a long day at work because he always made time to play ball with his children along with many of their friends who gathered to play in their backyard. When it came to his children's schooling, Don stressed the importance of education. He stood behind them in all their endeavors and especially promoted their school activities. When his children grew to have families of their own, Don’s love also grew to include his grandchildren whom he loved deeply.

There were many things that sparked Don’s interest. He liked hunting small game but especially loved deer hunting. When it came to food, his favorite was spaghetti, although he possessed quite a talent as a good grill master who grilled up great steaks on most weekends. Of course, he was a huge U of M football fan and never missed a chance to watch their games on TV. Some of his favorite programs over the years included the Lawrence Welk Show and All in the Family. Near to his heart, he loved the big band sounds of his youth from the 1940s. When he retired as Vice President of Finance after 38 years with the Attwood Corporation of Lowell, Don found more time to enjoy reading biographies among other things. He followed politics and his favorite elected officials, and prided himself as a loyal conservative. Retirement years also afforded time for travel. He and Lorraine took many trips together often with friends and family members to places such as Hawaii, California, Seattle, Washington, Canadian Rockies and an inspiring Alaskan cruise.

While enjoying life and the company of his dear family and many friends, life as Don knew it came to an abrupt end on October 21, 2010 when he suffered a severe stroke that left his right side partially paralyzed. Unable to speak, further tests revealed a disheartening brain tumor. Along with his congestive heart failure, Don spent several weeks in Metro Hospital before being transferred to Covenant Village of the Great Lakes. His family kept a constant vigil at his side as his health continued to diminish and on Monday evening, January 24, 2011, Don went to be with the Lord in His heavenly kingdom at the age of 84.

Don Gillman was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all who knew him. He was proud of his family and all they accomplished. A quiet man who lived a life of integrity, honesty, and dedication, he was truly the “Moral Rock” for which his family could rely. He leaves much to be remembered and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lorraine Gillman; children: Nancy (Lou) Baas, Dave (Barb) Gillman, Dan (Jan) Gillman; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sister, Virginia Nyp; sister-in-law, Sandra Gillman; many nieces, nephews and friends. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011, 1:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 2740 Fuller Avenue NE. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with Don’s family on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Contributions in his memory may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 2740 Fuller Avenue, Grand Rapids 49504 or to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 408 West 2nd Street, Trufant, Michigan 49347. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave your own memory of Don, submit a photo or to sign his online guest book.