Donald Fletcher

Humble, kind and caring, Donald Fletcher was a dedicated family man whose Christian values were an example of loving kindness. He loved his family beyond measure and treasured the joy of those around him. He will be deeply missed and remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Donald Fletcher was born during the frigid days of winter on January 19, 1928. The youngest of two sons born to Carlton and Marjorie Fletcher, he grew up alongside his brother Carlton in the northern Grand Rapids, Michigan farming community of Ada. Americans enjoyed much laughter with the likes of Laurel and Hardy while their radios were tuned to Will Rogers and record setting baseball games. Legendary players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb had the attention of many. Just on the threshold of hard economic times, the U.S. stock exchange was already experiencing record trading highs and lows that eventually led to the Great Depression.

Living on the family farm in Ada, Donald’s father was also a hard working carpenter whose joy was saddened with the death of Donald’s mother. A difficult time for the young family, Donald was only four months old when she died from complications due to childbirth. Donald’s father was always working and needed help with his young boys. Before long, Donald and his brother went on to live with their Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve Stefferson, but remained in the Ada area. As a youngster, Donald loved following his older brother around and always tagged along with his little red wagon. He played baseball as a boy, too, developing a lifelong love for the game.

Growing up in the area offered Donald adventure. At an early age, he learned to love hunting for rabbits and squirrels and never missed an opportunity to go fishing for pike and pan fish. As a boy he attended Ada Elementary School through the 8th grade and to earn money, he went on to help farmers in the area with chores. While a teen he got his first job unloading box cars for Grand Junction Rail Road and later began working for the Packing Corporation.

In time, Donald was blessed with true love when a friend introduced him to a pretty young girl named Evelyn Bennett. Quite smitten, the two began a dating relationship over the next two and half years. In love, they became husband and wife before the Justice of the Peace on April 20, 1957 and began their new life together in a farmhouse they purchased in Ada on Face Street. Before long they started a family and were blessed with four children. Margie, Donald, Carlton and Darrel added much joy to their lives. After living in the farmhouse for ten years and after their youngest was born, Donald and Evelyn moved to a home in Walker on Jupiter NE then on to Grand Ledge, MI, finally settling on Timberlee NW in Walker, MI.

A close family, they did much together and shared memorable vacations over the years. They traveled to Sea World in Ohio, and visited California and New York, too. They also spent wonderful times together in Northern Michigan along with taking in lazy weekend drives and enjoyed family picnics. As a family, they attended Standale Baptist Church where Donald was baptized. It was during this time that Donald grew in his faith. He held fast to his convictions and possessed a kind and loving, humble heart. A good Christian man, he never had an unkind word for anyone and truly led by example. Treasuring his family above all else, he never ceased in demonstrating his love and care for them, especially his steadfast love for Evelyn, who always referred to Donald as her “hunny bun”.

A hard and dependable worker, Donald remained working at the Packing Corporation for 21 years until the company closed. He soon found work at Grand Rapids Gypsum and after five years there, they also closed down. For the next 11 years and until he retired, Donald worked doing maintenance for Meijer Stores. Aside from work, Donald also had some personal interests that brought him much contentment. He loved listening to Christian music, especially gospel. A true country boy at heart, he liked the sounds of hillbilly music. Talented playing the guitar and the ukulele, he loved singing hymns and often sang in church. Donald held fast to faith as his foundation and loved reading God’s word daily.

Donald also loved spending time in his gardens where he grew loads of acorn squash and tenderly cared for his beloved strawberry plants. He and Evelyn also found enjoyment canning their harvest together. With good Christian values, Donald and Evelyn raised their family in faith and with integrity. Dedicated in all that he did, Donald could always be counted on to do the right thing and when he offered a helping hand, his humble heart was always dependable.

When diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago, chemotherapy and radiation treatments stabilized Donald’s illness, and he thankfully carried on with life. Last year he began having additional health issues due to the reoccurence of the cancer. As his body became extremely weak two weeks ago and as his health continued to diminish, Donald was placed in Hospice care a week later. With the presence of his loving family at his side, Donald went to be with his Lord and Savior at peace in his home on Saturday morning, November 7, 2009 at the age of 81.

Donald Fletcher loved his children and grandchildren beyond measure. An example of loving kindness, he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Evelyn Fletcher; children, Margie Fletcher, Donald Fletcher, Jr., Carlton (Laurie) Fletcher and Darrel Fletcher; 14 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and many friends. A longtime member of Standale Baptist Church, 3714 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, a service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Burial in Chapel Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the service begins. Contributions in his memory may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice. To read more about Donald’s life, to sign his online guest book and to leave a favorite memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.