Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....May, Donald William November 14, 2012
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Nan Wheaton wheaton162-time employed4@yahoo.com May 9, 2015, 7:15 pm

Ionia Sentinel-Standard - Sat. Nov. 17, 2012

Donald William May passed on to be with his Lord early Wednesday morning, Nov. 
14, 2012.
After an heroic six year battle with a myriad of diseases culminating in liver 
cancer, he slipped away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.

A alumni of University of Michigan, Don also held a doctorate in theology from 
Princeton University. He was a minister through W. Michigan Presbytery; a 
certified pilot (being in the Civil Air Patrol) and a fairly successful drag 
car racer in the area circuits in his early adulthood. He was in 
management/sales for several area car dealerships.

Don owned businesses throughout his lifetime, beginning with a pizza shop at 
age 16 and ending with May's Corner Party Store (Ionia) from 1995 to 2007, 
which he owned and operated with his wife and children. He loved fishing, 
golfing, driving, flying and his 20-plus years of poker with his "Great 8" 
poker buddies. 

Born in Garden City, Mich., on Sept. 9, 1946, he is preceded in death by his 
parents Donald Francis May and Marcella Jean (Stuvenberg) May, parents-in-law 
Herbert and Charlotte Haag; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 
Cherished in his heard, Don is with them all now, fishing pole in hand.

Donald is survived by his wife of 25 years, Cynthia (Haag) May; his daughters 
Lesa May (Lee) and Jessica May; his son Michael May; grandchildren Alex Lee and 
Louella Eliason; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and one sister. He has 
taught us all to be strong, brave, face our challenges and treat each day as a 
celebration of life. 

Don's final wishes have been carried out to the last detail. Therefore, no 
funeral service will be held. His earthly shell had been donated to MedCure, 
Inc. Research Facility with the hope that learning more about his illnesses may 
prevent someone else's pain and suffering. When he has "taught" them all he 
can, his cremated remains will be returned to his family, at which time a 
private memorial service will be held in his honor.

Donald's wife and family wish to express their deep gratitude for prayers and 
comfort from our many dear friends and to the countless nurses and doctors at 
Sparrow-Ionia ER, Spectrum-Butterworth, Spectrum-Blodgett, Life EMS and 
Spectrum Health Aero-Med, all of whom have been such an integral part of our 
lives these last few years. Our most heartfelt thanks goes to Spectrum Hospice, 
who brought honor, dignity, strength, comfort and compassion to us in his last 
month on this earth. There are no words to express how truly grateful we are to 
Don's Hospice Team.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation in Don's honor is asked to please 
send it to Spectrum Health Hospice and Palliative Care. Make your donation 
simply and securely online at spectrum-health.org/give or check payable to 
Spectrum Health Foundation, 100 Michigan St., NE. Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/m/may30565nob.txt

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