Obituary: Donald Slimmen, 81, Irons.

Donald Slimmen

Donald Slimmen, 81, of Irons, passed from earthly life to God’s loving arms on Monday, February 8, 2016 at home with his wife and children by his side.

Donald was born on July 2, 1934 in Grand Rapids, son of the late Adrian and Violet Slimmen.

Donald graduated from Redford High School.  He married the love of his life, Sharon Fay Hornung, on August 20, 1955 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Detroit. They were blessed to have 60 years together.

Donald was a truck driver and salesman throughout the 40 eight years of his work life and retired from Mason County Fruit Packers in April of 1999.  He loved to fish, was the leader of many snipe hunting expeditions,  was a Boy Scout and  a youth leader, vacation Bible school teacher and an officer and elder of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Scottville.  He was the senior officer of S’more creation at the campfire nightly at the cottage, as well as the master weaver of storytelling which carried truth, wisdom and whimsy.  He was also an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers and Redwings. Mostly Donn loved serving God and being with his family.

Donn never went anywhere that he didn’t make a friend, share some knowledge and touch a life in a positive way. His life was a life very well lived and the void of his absence will be felt by all that knew and loved him.

Donald is survived by his loving wife Sharon, and the children they were blessed with: Donald J. (Karen) Slimmen, Michael (Jean) Slimmen, Carolyn (Ed) Kirwan, Steven Slimmen (Janet Nieman) and son-in-law John Martin.   Their love continued on into another generation of crazy grandchildren: Melissa Jensen, Jon (Jill) Jensen, Tim (Connie) Wicklund, Ryan (Christie) Wicklund, Jamie (Stanford) Bennett, Scott (Stacey) Slimmen, Ryan Kirwan, Steven Slimmen Jr., Bernard (Alicia) Slimmen, Thomas (Angela) Slimmen, Donn E. Slimmen (Wendi Miller), Russelle Slimmen (Mark Dilloway), Dan Martin and Savanah Clemons. Great-grandchildren: Katherine King, Ava Norman, Landon Slimmen, Jacob Jensen, Donn E. Slimmen Jr., August Wicklund and Kayla Bennett with two more on the way, which he will see before they are born later this year.  Donn is also survived by his brothers: Arnie (Carol) Slimmen, Bill (Linda) Slimmen and Gary (Sharon) Slimmen; and sisters-in-law: Patricia Slimmen Hammond and Carol (Len) Werner.

He is reunited in heaven with his daughter Sherryl Lynn (married to John Martin), his parents; in-laws Bernard and Dorothy Kennedy, sisters Kathleen Delashmutt and Patricia MacDonald and brothers Richard and Frederick Slimmen.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Donn’s life will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church of Scottville on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at noon with visitation starting at 11 a.m., with The Reverend James Schroeder officiating.  There will be a luncheon following the service.

Donations in honor of Donn may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gymnasium Renovation.   

Please feel free to share a photo or a memory with Donn’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com.

The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center.