William and Donna Kitzmiller

1944 - 2024

William A. Kitzmiller and Donna L. Kitzmiller, both age 80, of Grand Haven, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Bill was born on April 22, 1944, in Lake Forest, Illinois, to Arthur and Helen (Etter) Kitzmiller. Donna was born on July 18, 1944, in Highland Park, Michigan, to Leonard and Virginia Meyers.

Bill and Donna met while both attending Albion College. They spent their entire careers dedicated to the Grand Haven community. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, from 1967 to 1970, during the Vietnam War Era. He then became a police officer with the Grand Haven City Police Department and retired as sergeant after 30 years of service from the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. Donna became an elementary school teacher for the Grand Haven Area Public Schools, serving at Ferry Elementary, Central Elementary and Mary A. White Elementary, retiring after 30 years teaching.

Bill and Donna shared 54 years of a loving marriage together and were true partners in life. They enjoyed spending time traveling all over the world via boats, trains and automobiles. Donna's passion for nature and wildlife paired well with Bill's quest for outdoor adventure. They were avid readers and movie watchers. Bill and Donna enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Lake Michigan and loved animals. They provided a loving home to golden retrievers and cats over the years.

Bill and Donna's lives will be remembered and missed by his sister, Joan (Scott) Wolfe; their nephew, Josh (Diane) Nelson; and niece, Jaime (Davin) Nelson-Molnar; and their great-niece and great-nephews: Hayden, Paige and Tate Nelson, Kole and Jace Wukie. They were preceded in death by their parents.

The Memorial Celebration of Life for Bill and Donna will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2024, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Doug Bytwerk officiating. Full Military Honors will be performed by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harbor Humane Society. Please visit www.klaassen funeralhome.com to sign Bill's and Donna's online guestbook.