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Donna Fout Obituary
NILES - Donna Fout, 89, of East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Niles, died at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, in Porter Hills Health Center in Grand Rapids following an extended illness. Mrs. Fout was born on February 8, 1919, in Niles, to Earl and Blanche (Pirnie) Clark. She was a lifelong resident of Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1937. Donna served the City of Niles as Deputy City Clerk and then 10 years as City Clerk, for a total of 31 years at City Hall. As City Clerk, she was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Mobile Homes. From 1987-1995 she served as Berrien County Commissioner representing the City of Niles. She represented the Mental Health Board from '87- '97. Donna was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, The Order of the Eastern Star Niles Chapter #332, Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, Niles Historical Society, Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club where she was elected as the first female club president, and DeColores Ministry of Southwest Michigan. On October 19, 1938 in LaPorte, Indiana, she married Donal J. Fout, who survives. They would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of their marriage this year. Mrs. Fout is also survived by her daughter, Judith D. Schmitt of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Donal E. Schmitt of Chicago, Illinois, and Christina A. Hankins of Rockford, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Emily, Chase, Gavin and Jenna Hankins. Donna was preceded in death by two brothers, Merlin Horace Clark, who died August 19, 1994, and Leo Clark, who died October 14, 1969. The funeral service for Donna Fout will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 14, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with Rev. Janet Van Lear of the church officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Eastern Star rites at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Donna Fout may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church in Niles or Porter Hills Health Center, 3600 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donna Fout
3 Entries
Felix Quintiliani
April 11, 2008
Dear Donal and family, I would like to express my deepest sympathies on the loss of your grandmother. I know how close you were and she will be missed. I would also like to extend the condolences on behalf of the LPL board for your loss as well. Please let us know if we can help in any way. Sincerely, Felix Quintiliani
Patti Swikoski (Bayles)
April 10, 2008
Where to start with all the memories I have of Aunt Donna. The lake is the most vivid memory-fishing (save some for the annual fish fry!), swimming, getting up at the crack of dawn (It's daylight in the swamp). We were just like family. How I miss those days. God bless you all. The good times will be with us forever!
Julli Wirt (Bayles)
April 10, 2008
I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Donna. We had to put 10% of all fish caught in the freezer so that we could have a fish fry on New Years Day! And I remember many times spending the night at the lake and being woke up at the crack of dawn by Aunt Donna coming around informing us that it was daylight in the swamp :) She will surely be missed. I love you Aunt Donna and Uncle Don.
Julli
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