Stella O’Donnell
Stella Germaine (Schiller) O’Donnell, 94, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 4, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born at home on September 10, 1930, to Edmund and Julia (Greiner) Schiller in New Era. Stella married Walter O’Donnell on May 2, 1953, in Montague. She was a beloved wife of 49 years, mother of four, grandmother of seven, and great grandmother of 14.
Stella was a graduate of Mount Mercy Academy High School in Grand Rapids. She attended Muskegon Business College and excelled at accounting, working in that position until becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, and was most gifted as a skilled seamstress. She also enjoyed nature and the change in seasons, visiting with family and friends, watching college football, and playing cards.
Stella had a charitable spirit and gave to others in so many ways. She was a longtime member of St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington and was involved in many parish activities over the years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Knitting children’s mittens was a specialty of hers and she has donated hundreds of mittens to the annual Ludington Community Mitten Tree.
Stella is survived by her children, Fr. Dennis O’Donnell of Irons, Mary Kay (Martin) Gaddy of Ludington, Rose Ann (Michael) Deford of Bay City, and Peggy (David) Grzenia of Essexville; her sister Rosemary (Norman) Byrne of Ada; brother Joseph (Ruth) Schiller of Shakopee Minn.; and sister-in-law Connie O’Donnell of Stone Mountain, Ga.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Walter; brothers Fr. Thomas Schiller, Timothy Schiller, Francis Schiller; sister Sr. Mary Rosita RSM; sisters-in-law Genevieve Schiller, Theresa Anderson, Mary (O’Donnell) LaPalme, Sr. Rose Patrice O’Donnell; and brothers-in-law Joseph LaPalme and Peter O’Donnell.
A special thanks to Munson Hospice Care Team, nurses Paula and Angie, and the caregivers at Nancy’s House in Manistee for providing comfort, support, and enriching a peaceful end-of-life experience.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington, with Father Dennis O’Donnell presiding. Interment will be in the Pere Marquette Catholic Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be held Friday, January 10, 2025, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. followed by praying the Rosary at the Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel. Visitation will also be held at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Sr. Rosita Endowment Fund for Community Health and Well-Being. Checks should be made payable to Saint Mary’s Foundation and designated to the Sr. Rosita Endowment Fund.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
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