Donald Passage, age 78, died unexpectedly but peacefully, December 30, 2022. He was born January 27, 1944 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, the last of thirteen children, born to Russell and Ida (McCoy) Passage. In 1968 he married his high school sweetheart Ellen (Peterson) Passage celebrating 54 wonderful years this past August.
Don was a 1963 graduate of Haslett High School. He was a proud veteran serving in the US Army from 1965 to 1967, stationed in Germany. He retired from General Motors in 1995 after 30 years of service. In retirement, Don, an avid golfer, enjoyed working at Brookshire Inn and Golf Club for 26 years. His golfing accomplishments include: 6 holes-in-one, top senior in the Greater Lansing Men’s All City Medal Play, and shooting a course-record 28 at Brookshire Golf Club, Williamston. Don recently celebrated 46 years as a Friend of Bill. He was an elder member of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Don is survived by his girls; wife Ellen, his daughters Anna (Jeremy) Bates, and Mary (Andy McLeod) Passage of Haslett, granddaughters Kyla and Amira; and many generations of nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Donald will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823, with visitation starting one hour prior to service at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don's name, to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org) or American Kidney Fund (kidneyfund.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Passage family.
