Donald Holmes Ashland

Lansing, Michigan

Donald Holmes Ashland, 82, of Lansing, Michigan passed away on Sunday, February 1st, 2015 in Orange Beach, Alabama. He was born in Escanaba, Michigan to Marcell and Alice Ashland on November 9th, 1932.

Upon graduation from Escanaba High School, Don served in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1953. He then attended Michigan Technology University and earned a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering. Don married Joan Santimore in 1958 and was a devoted husband to her until her death in 2008. He retired from Honeywell in 1990 after a long career in the computer industry. Upon retirement Don split his time between Lansing and Orange Beach. In 2013 he became engaged to Alma Ford.

Don was known for his high standards and integrity. He was social by nature and enjoyed the company of others and in helping people anyway he could. He exhibited his faith both through devoted personal relationships and through support of church related activities such as Empty Plate which provides nourishment to those in need. Don was also known to be an avid golfer and a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan. Don maintained his Upper Peninsula roots through frequent visits to his hometown and many summer vacations spent with extended family at Sandy Shores Resort in Escanaba.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marcell and Alice Ashland and his wife of 50 years Joan (Santimore) Ashland.

He is survived by his daughters, Judith (Matthew) McCarthy and Laurel (Steven) Waidelich; Fiancee', Alma Ford; Grandchildren, Kristin (Matthew) Sommerhalter, Laurel McCarthy and Joseph Waidelich; beloved Sister, Marcella (Vincent) Cipolla; and many special nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2015 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing Michigan. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held immediately following at St Joseph's cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Empty Plate, c/o Greater Lansing Food Bank, P.O. Box 16224, Lansing, Michigan, 48912.

Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, MI.