Donald F. Imber Jr.

Donald F. Imber, Jr., age 82 of Tecumseh passed from this world on Sunday, September 24, 2023 steps away from his primary love – a Catholic Church (St. Joseph's Shrine). He was born July 19, 1941 in Delphos, OH a son of the late Donald Francis and Elizabeth Ann (Steinle) Imber, Sr. He grew up in a large family and the network of St. John's Catholic Church. He is survived by his siblings, Phyllis Turnwald, George (Adele) Imber, Sister-In-Law Anna Imber, and Arthur (Becky) Imber.
From Delphos, he hit the field at Kent State balancing the rigors of college football and chemistry. He went on to the corporate world in sales and marketing, setting up sales and distribution of commercial industrial chemicals for giants such as Proctor & Gamble and Kraft prior to starting a small business in the same field. Eventually, he partnered with Enerco Corporation and provided services throughout southern Michigan and northern Ohio. We can only imagine the number of people he impacted in the vast network he groomed over the years. He left the house each morning announcing: "Hey, hey, hey, time to sell some soap today!" or "Time to hug a boiler!".
Don met the love of his life Louise (Jackson), and swiftly tied the knot. Together they moved from Detroit, to Macon, and then spent the bulk of their time in a big house in Clinton with seven dishwashers, one for each day of the week: Edmund (Simone) Imber, Matthew Imber, Agnes (Aaron) Wesche, Philip (Allison) Imber, Chris (Marisa) Imber, Bridget (Eric) Whipple and Mary (Erick) King. Together, they also fostered numerous children through the years, eventually adopting their eighth child Kathleen "Katie" Imber. The family seemed to have dinner on the table at 6 pm every day no matter what events were happening in the busy household. Dinner always ended with Don and Louise playing a long cribbage match. Despite his travel for work, Don never missed his kids' sporting events, attending and volunteering with great pride. Perhaps his most lasting impact was the support he provided his kids as they passed through Clinton High School.
Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Grange, Moose Club, Eagles, and Rotary. Don was the Clinton Township Supervisor for a number of years. He was active at St. Elizabeth, St. Dominic, and St. Joseph's Shrine over the years. He offered an abundance of talent, treasure, fellowship, and volunteer work through these various organizations.
The tragedy of his life was the early deaths of his son, Matt and his wife, Louise; he missed each of them dearly and his family is comforted with the thought they all rest together. He is also preceded in death by his parents and his younger siblings, Joseph Imber, Peter Imber, and Brother-In-Law Jerome Turnwald. Don has twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.
May a legion of angels go before you, after you, to your left, to your right and take you home and on the way, please point to Picnic Area #9 as it has eluded us for oh-so long.
Visitation for Don will be from 4pm – 8pm on Monday October 2, 2023 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes with a Prayer Service at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Tuesday at St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church in Brooklyn with Fr. Zachary Mabee as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Dominic Catholic Cemetery in Clinton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church.