Donna Jean Palmer

Donna J. Palmer (Mills), age 90 of Grandville, went to be with her Lord and Savior in the early morning of May 29. She was preceded in death by her parents Merritt and Jennie Mills; parents-in-law Raymond and Naomi Palmer; husband, Donald “DP”; son, Ronald “RP”; sister and brother-in-law Betsy and Eric Smith; brothers-in-law Stephen Anderson and David Palmer; and many friends.

Donna will be lovingly remembered by her children Lou Ann Palmer (Bill Slanger), Raymond Palmer (Barbara); daughter-in-law, Kim Palmer; grandchildren Renay, Corey, Nick, and Elizabeth Palmer; sister, Karen Anderson; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was born September 4, 1931 at home in Lakeview, Michigan. She was raised in Grandville, helping on the Mills family farm. Donna graduated from Grandville High School where she met her future husband, Don; they were married for 50 plus years. While in high school, she worked at Adrianse (Adrian’s) Restaurant and Payne’s Drug Store. After high school, she went to work for Consumers Power up until she and Don started their family, whom she loved dearly.

Donna was an avid sports fan, whether it was cheering on her grandkids, the Detroit Tigers, or the Michigan State Spartans. Donna and Don, along with the West Michigan Golf Association, started the Kent County Amateur Golf Tournament in 1966, which is still played every year at L. E. Kaufman Golf Course. She looked forward to working it every year and meeting the area’s best golfers up until 1989 when she and Don retired. Throughout her life she enjoyed her friends, cooking, knitting, sewing, quilting, bowling, golfing, and spending her winters in Florida. Donna was kind yet competitive; so many times she was on the winning team of the Eldorado Shuffleboard Tournament in Treasure Island, Florida, or a game of Hand and Foot.

As one person put it: “Such a beautiful woman – gentle and simply sweet – just like her cinnamon rolls.”

A special thank you to American House Cherrywood Assisted Living Memory Care and Faith Hospice for all the loving care and support they provided to Donna.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St. SW Grandville, MI 49418, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grandville Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Faith Hospice or Meals on Wheels of West Michigan. The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.