Obituary for Margaret Virginia Hypes Donthnier
Margaret Virginia Hypes Donthnier, 90, of East Lansing, MI (formerly Ocala, FL, and Pyrmont, OH) slipped away February 3, 2017. She was, in short, a loving wife and “the best mother any son or daughter could wish for.”
Early on Margaret wanted to be a mother and homemaker. To that end she took numerous home economics courses at Brookville High School (Brookville, OH) to ensure that her children were raised wisely and her home, run smoothly. Yet, she was also the mother who ran around Betty and Dale’s yard at night playing Peter Pan with the kids; the mother who taught her nephews, Steve and Scott, how to clean their catch of bluegills; the mother other children wished were theirs; and the one who showed us that we should treat every person with dignity. Margaret volunteered in classrooms; held offices in the PTA; became an outstanding Brownie and Girl Scout leader; helped raise granddaughters, Dawn and Kim; volunteered as an elections official for Marion County, FL; and developed and shared her expertise in ceramics, porcelain, and miniatures – assisted by her devoted husband, Merle.
Blessed by her life and memory are her children, Donna Donthnier Clark-Keomany (Khamphou) and Michael Lee Donthnier; sister, Esther Lewis; grandchildren, Dawn Marks (Steve), Kimberly Nagy (Wayne), Jessica Mott, Ariel Donthnier Clark, Brian Eugene Donthnier, and Lucas Donthnier Keomany (Esva); and great grandchildren.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Merle Eugene Donthnier, Sr.; son, Merle Eugene Donthnier, Jr.; parents, Sherman Toby and Agnes Bell Hypes; brother, Leonard Hypes; sisters, Evelyn Boden and Marcille Flannery; grandson, Brian E. Donthnier; and great grandson, John Reynolds.
Special appreciation to the miniature club members of Leslie and Grand Ledge, MI; the entire staff of Great Lakes Caring; Michael of Right at Home; and Brenda Green and the staff of New Life, Haslett, MI.
Visitation, followed by funeral, will be held at 12pm on February 19, 2017, at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens at 5050 SW 20th St., Ocala, FL.
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