Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Donovan, Lawrence W.  April 3, 2016
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Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net June 14, 2020, 5:37 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard-Wed. April 6, 2016

LAWRENCE W. DONOVAN 1934-2016
Lawrence W. Donovan, age 82, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2016.

He was born Jan. 18, 1934 in Ionia to Sylvia Donovan Collier and Renis Donovan. A
nearly lifelong resident of Ionia, he attended Ionia High School, where he was a star
baseball player. He graduated mid-year in 1952, when he was signed by the Detroit Tigers.
Over the next few years he lived or played in cities throughout the United States, Canada and
Cuba as he advanced through their Minor League teams.

In 1956, he married his hometown sweetheart, Carolynne, at the Cathedral of St.
Joseph in Buffalo, New York, where he was currently playing with the Buffalo Bisons. He
eventually achieved his dream, the Major League Detroit Tigers roster in 1957. He was
successful at the level, but unfortunately sustained a career-ending injury during a game that
season, and returned to Ionia.

Larry supported his young growing family working hard at several jobs. He worked at
the Michigan Reformatory, Berger Motor company, and even drove a bus for the Ionia
Public Schools, Larry always believed in the importance and power of education, and in
spite of multiple jobs, attended Western Michigan University part-time, eventually receiving
both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He continued his career with the Michigan
Department of Corrections at a managerial level until his retirement. In his spare time through
the years, Larry enjoyed golf, poker games, hunting and fishing, following the Tigers, and time
with his family and several faithful dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolynne, and his sister Marie Donovan
Arndt and husband Norm. He will be remembered alway by his children and their spouses Mary and
Tom Livingston, Deborah Belcore, Kelley and Mike McClintock, and Douglas and Mary 
Donovan.

He was the proud grandfather of Katherine and Jack Livingston, Deborah Belcore, 
Christopher and Robert Belcore, Jennifer Spearling (Chris) and John William Hearld,
Lia and Conor Donovan, as well as three great-grandchildren.

There will be visitation Thursday, April 7 from 4-7 p.m. at Lehman Funeral home, 220
Rich St., Ionia.

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