Donna Darlene (Keesler) Speaker

Donna Darlene Speaker, age 88 of Robinson Township, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024, at home. She was born on August 14, 1936, in Milliken, MI, to the late Aryle and Daisy (Waldron) Keesler. Donna married William Speaker on April 14, 1956, in White Cloud. MI. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2015, after 59 years of marriage.

Donna graduated from high school and started her career working as a switchboard operator for Gerber Baby Food Co. She then drove a 66-passenger school bus for the school system in Virginia Beach, VA, and later, worked for six years at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, MI, where she retired.

Donna enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, and traveling. She also liked to go on bike rides, work on puzzles, and play the piano. Donna’s favorite color was yellow, and the water was her “happy place.” She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always said, “her children are smart, funny, and beautiful.”

Donna will be lovingly remembered and missed by her two daughters, Linda (Joe) White of Grand Haven, MI, and Crystal (Bill) Kellogg of Emmett, MI; her son, Jim (Martha) Speaker of Grand Haven, MI; seven grandchildren: Ken (Sylvia) Bischoff, Ben (Brandy) Bischoff, Monica Householder, Phillip (Angel) Kellogg, Nancy (Eric) Going, Jedediah Speaker, and Jeanah (Quincey) Hammond; 18 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two grandsons, Josiah and Jeremie Speaker; and two brothers, Jack and Gene Keesler.

The Memorial Service for Donna will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Doug Bytwerk officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Trinity Health at Home Hospice Grand Haven or Victims for Justice.

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