Donald S. Downer

Donald S. Downer (Cannon Township) died peacefully March 20, 2025 at age 81 after 10 years with cancer. Don was a gentle man who saw the humanity of each and every person–especially those pushed to the margins of our society. He worked tirelessly throughout his life on behalf and alongside people with mental illness, people with disabilities, and incarcerated people. He lived and breathed peace, equality, and justice. He saw this as God’s work and was a deeply spiritual man who often said, “The Catholic Church is in my bones.” If the Church was his bones, Don’s wife was his heart. His deep love, true commitment, and constant dedication to Rose was so apparent to his family and friends. His love extended to his three children, who are grateful for the lessons, values, and wisdom he imparted through the decades, and to his six grandchildren, who are the ripples in the pond of his teachings. Don was at home in the quiet peace of nature. He was in his glory in a trout stream, his deer blind, or the massive garden he and Rose grew each summer. Whether at the family’s homestead or the woods, lakes, and rivers of his beloved Vanderbilt, he preferred the quiet sounds of moving water, bird songs, and elk bugles to the noise of cities. He walked in over 40 walks for hunger, each step of the way, thinking of those near and far with food insecurity. Like his parents before him, he nurtured others through food and was quick to share a pot of soup, an impossibly huge bowl of potato salad, or a go-to venison recipe. Don was proud of his Polish heritage and always ready to discuss the nuances of various types of kielbasa, rye bread, and ground horseradish. Don was preceded in death by his parents Sylvester and Esther Downer (Wojciechowski); father-in-law Kenneth Laug; brother Duane Downer; brothers-in-law Ron Grzybowski, Russ Lance, Marvin Guenther, Philip Laug, and John Laug; and nephew Dennis Lance. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary Downer (Laug); children Karen Munger (Shawn), David Bleckley (Patty O’Malley), and Elizabeth Nicklowitz (Paul); grandchildren Kyle, Ella, and Mallory Munger, Kai Bleckley, and Ava and Noah Nicklowitz; siblings Pat Grzybowski, Judy Lance, David (Cookie), Maryann Guenther, Rosemary Beahan (Dan), Michelle, Kathie, and Margie and sister-in-law Loretta Downer; mother-in-law Mary Ann Laug; siblings-in-law Mike Laug (Mary), Jan Fredrickson (Jim), Bill Laug (Nita), Lori Laug-Baize (Bruce), and Bonnie VanderKolk (Charlie); and dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday March 28, 2025 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Church/Sparta. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. His family will receive visitors Thursday March 27, 2025 from 4:00- 7:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW. and Friday one hour prior to the Mass at church. A Vigil service/Time of sharing will be on Thursday at 7:00 pm at the funeral home Don and his family wish to thank the staff of Emmanuel Hospice and Msgr. Terry Stewart for their support, service, and compassion in his final weeks. They also extend their gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who have cared for Don through the years and to all of you who have offered your prayers, support and love. In lieu of flowers, Don’s family asks you to consider donating to Access of West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Dominicans, or the Pigeon River Association. In his memory, he would ask you to “Do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Tributes

Donald S. Downer

August 10, 1943 - March 20, 2025