Donald E. Deford

Deford, Donald E.
Saginaw, MI

Donald E. Deford passed away December 29, 2020 at his home at the age of 91 years.

He was born on January 1, 1929, to the late Ernest L. Deford and Gladys R. (Groom) Deford in Saginaw. Don graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1947. He graduated from GMI Institute (Kettering University) in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara J. (Niederstadt) Deford, on May 6, 1949. She predeceased him on August 7, 2005. He married another classmate, Doris (Brower) Brunner on November 9, 2006. She survives him. He worked for Saginaw Steering Division, GMC (Delphi/Nexteer) and retired as a Staff Engineer, after 40 and a half years of service, in 1988. After his retirement, he worked as an Engineering Consultant/Expert Witness for many years. He was very active in the United Methodist Church and as a member of the State Street UMC, served in many leadership positions, sang in the choir, played in the chime choir, worked on many projects, was a youth counselor and went on three Appalachian Service trips and was a counselor at the Lake Louise Church Camp for many years. He also served on several UMC District and Conference committees. He worked on many Habitat for Humanity houses and walked in almost every CROP Walk from the first one in Saginaw. He did the corner sign ministry for many years at State Street UMC. He was a music lover his whole life and supported many organizations in Saginaw and Midland. He was on the Board of Directors for the Saginaw Valley Concert Association (Community Concerts) and served as president twice. He also attended Interlochen and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for many years. He served on the Saginaw Vision 20-20 project and on its arts and culture committee. He taught swimming at the Saginaw YMCA for 48 years. He enjoyed sports and was a softball pitcher from his college days until his 80TH year. He was honored to be a charter player for the 2008 inaugural season of the Saginaw Old Golds Vintage Base Ball Team. He also loved to play tennis.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Cheryl (Bill) Mielke of Gladwin, MI; Debbie (Mike) Watters of Bellaire, MI; Lori Brown of Saginaw, MI; David (Sue) DeFord of Zilwaukee, MI; seven grandchildren: Meredith (Ray) Allison of Gladwin, MI; Matthew (Nichole) Mielke of Freeland, MI; Daniel (Michelle) Watters of Frankenmuth; Sarah (Brian) Gilbert of Bay City; Joshua (Rae Ann) Watters of Bay City; Christin DeFord of Salt Lake City, UT; David DeFord Jr. of Summerville, SC; thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, his sister, Sue Ann (Jim) Fahnenstiel of Florida; two step-daughters, Holly Schaeffer of Midland and Dawn Chaffee of Boyne City; many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, relatives and friends.

A private service for Donald will be held at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Freeland United Methodist Church or Saginaw YMCA Youth Fund.