Donald N. Cormier

Donald N. Cormier, 71, of Midland, died early Saturday morning, July 7, 2007, at the MidMichigan Medical Center after a brief illness.

He was born on April 20, 1936, in Marlborough, Mass., son of the late Henry and Rita (Goulet) Cormier. He attended St. Hyacinthe Seminary in Canada and later graduated from Clark University in 1966 with a bachelor of science degree. Donald served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1954-1956. Activities in Marlborough include serving on the Marlborough city council for two terms and as president of the Marlborough Jaycees.

He worked at Sears in Worcester, Mass. for eight years, until starting at The Dow Chemical Co. in 1967. He and his family moved to Midland in 1976. Donald retired from The Dow Chemical Co. in 1992 after 25 years working in sales, marketing, and planning. He returned to Sears from 1992-2002. Donald received the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the late 1970s, an event that changed his life. He was later deeply and permanently impacted by the love of God in 1997 at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.

A vital part of his life was his involvement in the leadership of The Open Door Ministries beginning in 1989 and continuing until his death. For several years he served as the president of that ministry to the poor, the incarcerated and rejected by society. He was a life member of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship. He was active in the Lutheran Via de Cristo movement and also participated in Royal Family Kids Camp ministry. He received credentials as minister from Full Gospel Outreach Ministries and faithfully ministered to inmates at the Midland County Jail and the Saginaw Correctional Facility in Freeland. He enjoyed spending time with his family and doing the Lord's work. He married the former Lorraine Gauvin on Sept. 7, 1964, in Marlborough.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; daughter, Jeannine (Scot) McElveen of Helenwood, Tenn.; son Steven (Debi) Cormier of Imlay City; daughter-in-law Tammie Cormier of Midland; by brothers, Paul (MaryAnn) Cormier of Marlborough, Richard Cormier of Northboro, Mass., and Charles (Ellen) Cormier of Framingham, Mass.; sister, Lucille (Bill Bruce) Cormier of Westminster, Mass.; grandchildren, Christopher and Zachary Cormier of Midland; and step-grandchildren, Corinne and Mitchell Jones of Imlay City. In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by son, David Cormier in 1997; and by brother Roland Cormier.

Funeral services will take place Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 11 a.m. from the Christian Celebration Center with Pastor Tim Ortiz officiating. Burial will be in Poseyville Cemetery.

Donald's family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and at church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Open Door Outreach of Midland, P.O. Box 1614, Midland, MI 48641.