Donn H. Denniston, of Novi, Mich., passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, May 30, 2021, at the age of 83 following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Donn was born Dec. 13, 1937, in Newton, to Homer and Helen (McCaffery) Denniston. After graduating from Newton High School in 1956, he went on to attend Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., and Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., earning a bachelor of arts and master of business administration. While at Monmouth, Donn met the love of his life, Judith Stafford. They were married in Chicago on Sept. 9, 1961, and would be blessed with three children, Karen, David and Dan during their 58-year marriage.
After attending college, Donn accepted a position with U.S. Gypsum in Chicago, Ill. During this time, he also served six months of active service with the Army National Guard and 5 years in the Army Air Force Reserve. In 1965, the young family moved to the Detroit area where Donn worked and eventually retired after 30 years of service in marketing for Ford Motor Company. Not one to be idle at any time, Donn was very active in the Southfield Presbyterian Church, as well as the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington and First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla., where he participated in several boards, committees, mission works and was a member of the choir at each church. He also served with the Presbytery of Detroit in numerous capacities over the years.
Donn and Judy were active travelers over the years, venturing to all 50 states, eight Canadian provinces and 47 countries over six continents. When they weren’t traveling, they enjoyed time with their friends and family at their cottage on the Canadian shores of Lake Huron, or their winter home in Naples Fla. But Donn always carried Iowa in his heart and, on most Saturdays in the fall, you would find him dressed in black and gold rooting on his treasured Iowa Hawkeyes.
Donn was preceded in death by his beloved Judy (d. 2019) and is survived by his daughter, Karen; two sons, David and Dan (Kristen); five cherished grandchildren, Christian (Marisa Espe), Riley, Henry (and their mother, Tracey), Regan (Joe Ellis) and Ryan; his brother, Chuck (Marilyn d. 2018); and sister-in-law, Susan (Bill d. 2019); as well as nieces and nephews, Jeff (Elise), Jon (Michelle), Kristin (Shane), Philip (Tricia) and Jill.
Private interment is planned for Union Memorial Cemetery in Newton.
Arrangements entrusted to the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, Farmington, MI (248-474-5200). heeney-sundquist.com