Donald A. Sult

Donald “Don” A. Sult, faithful Catholic son of God our Father, departed for eternal life with Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the Saints on March 24, 2025, after having received the saving Grace of Christ in the Holy Sacraments of the Church and been cared for by his loving wife, Harriet. He was born in Port Huron, Michigan on July 1, 1950 to Harry and Betty (Bowen) Sult, both of whom preceded him in death. He also traveled through life with his beloved family members who survive him: his wife, Harriet; daughter, Sarah Tchoryk; son, Cy (Cindi) Sult; brother, Larry M. (Deborah) Sult; identical twin brother and close companion for life, Darrell (Tracie) Sult; sister, Pat (Jim) Ashley; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle Don. Don and Harriet celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony on February 19, 2000 and their 25th anniversary this year.

Don grew up learning the carpentry trade from his dad and used it all of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees for four years alongside his brother, Darrell, building and traveling throughout the U.S., and traveling to different countries and the Pacific Islands. He built many of the structures on the Hawaiian military base at which he was stationed. In the years following his military service, he worked for Associated Government Services as the building inspector and held positions with several companies as a builder and in his own work as a consultant. He studied the code and became an expert at solutions that were both functional, aesthetically pleasing, and up to code. He was a master builder and extraordinary self-taught designer, engineer, and inventor.

He loved to raise sheep and tend the natural world that surrounded his home. He and Harriet remodeled their home, built an addition, and enjoyed its peaceful pastoral setting for many years together. His home was like a piece of Heaven where he enjoyed his workshop, raising sheep, cooking, tending to yardwork and other household chores, and most of all, spending time with his wife and God in prayer. His home was like a shrine where one could encounter the love of the Lord in prayer, reading, and meditation in a peaceful setting. He used his time and talents to build furniture, memory boxes, and many other practical and beautiful inventions with which he helped his family, friends, and others in need. Traveling to visit family and friends, or receiving them in his home, gave Don great joy. He especially enjoyed fishing with his son and spending time with his son and daughter, their families, and his grandchildren.

Having been baptized a Christian in 1976 at Trinity Wesleyan Church, Don made a decision to become a Catholic Christian and made a Profession of Faith and received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil on April 11, 1998 at St. Mary’s Visitation Church. He was moved by the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and felt that he had found Christ Himself truly present in the Church for the first time in his life and simply had to become a Catholic. Subsequently, Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration became the center of his life. Don, alongside his wife Harriet, spent his life from then on in prayer and in the service of others. They traveled to Guatemala and Haiti on mission trips and built structures to assist people in need. When he returned from Haiti, he was moved to found an outreach committee at his parish to assist the people of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Haiti with their school and health center. He also served as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee in the parish for many years, spending hundreds of hours coordinating the beginning of the most recent church building restoration project called “Restoring our Heritage” until his illness precluded him from doing so. Don had an eye for detail and knew how to quietly help others understand the need to do and build things in a way that was best and time-tested. Don was known for his sense of humor, friendly demeanor, and ability to comfort, console, and counsel anyone who came to him needing Christ-like support.

During his recent illness, with great love, patience, and a spirit of surrender to the will of God, Don offered his pain, suffering, and prayer along with Christ for those who needed help and salvation from our Lord.

After humbly confessing his sins, assisted by the help of his guardian angel, whom he knew as Samuel, he died peacefully in the hope of Eternal Life.

Friends and family may gather at Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center, MI for a visitation from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025, with a Rosary and prayers to be offered for Don’s repose at 7 p.m. All are welcome to assist at the Mass of Christian Burial to be offered by Fr. Christopher Derda and concelebrated by Fr. Stephen Rodrigo 11 a.m. Thursday, March 27 at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church, 2459 146th Ave., Byron Center, MI 49315, with burial of the body to follow in SMV Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Don’s passing may wish to contribute a memorial gift to St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church where Don found his place in his beloved church family for nearly 27 years.

The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guestbook online.