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  • Visitation:  4 to 8 p.m.  Thursday at the funeral home
  • Funeral:  1:00 p.m.  Friday at the funeral home

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Mr. Donald J. Apple, Sr., age 63, of Holland Lake, rural Sheridan, formerly of Lansing, passed away at home on Tuesday afternoon, March 11, 2008 from an apparent heart attack following a successful morning of ice fishing. The son of Robert Edward & Dorthea Nolieta (Coleman) Apple, he was born on Oct. 4, 1944 in Lansing. At the age of four, Dons parents were killed in an automobile accident and he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Clifford & Blanche Coleman, who also preceded him in death.

Don graduated from Lansings Resurrection High School, where he set many track and running records, and then attended Lansing Business College. After working as a stenographer for a while, Don began a career at General Motors. A proud member of United Auto Workers Local 652, having served as a committeeman, he retired from GMs Oldsmobile Plant No. 3 after 31 years of service.

On Oct. 26, 1991, in Mecosta, he married the former Cynthia Ruth (Dunn) Roth. An avid Michigan State fan, Don also enjoyed fishing, golfing, boating, and playing cards. A devoted husband, father, and grandpa, Don found his greatest joy in gathering family and friends together to celebrate life. He will be remembered as a man who was a friend to everyone he met, and without an enemy in the world.

Surviving are his wife, Cyndy Apple of Sheridan; their children, Tim Apple of Saginaw, Don Jr. & Andrea Apple of Freeland, Brian & MaryAnn Roth of Portland, Brock & Tracy Roth of Ionia, and Brenda Roth of Tennessee; four grandchildren, Andy Apple, Brett Roth, Abigail Roth, and Hadyn Roth; one great granddaughter, Abigail Apple; his twin brother, Dan Apple of Lansing; two sisters, Judy Apple of Ypsilanti and Peggy Coscarelli of Texas; a brother-in-law, Robert & Sandie Dunn of Grandville; a sister-in-law, Stephanie & Jeff Harvey of Belmont; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2008 from the Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, with the Rev. Jerry Jones, pastor of the First Congregational Church officiating.

Visitation is Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home, where envelopes for memorial contributions to the Sheridan Fire Department are available. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Dons online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please click the “Sign Guest Book” link above.


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1 Condolence

  1. Anonymous on March 11, 2008 at 12:00 am

    Guestbook

    03/24/2008 –

    Nadine Miller
    Cyndy, We are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed dearly. Everyone at “The Wet Spot” sends their love. Please don’t be a stranger, we love you!

    03/20/2008 –

    Roger Werner
    My condolences to Cindy and all of the family. Donny was a good guy, a give the shirt off his back kind of guy. I always had tons of fun with him, no matter where we all were. Roger Werner

    03/17/2008 –

    Rod Snyder
    I knew Don as an excellent Union Representative for General Motors. I stood on the picket line in 1970 and I too was a union official.I retired in 2005 after 37 years and I really enjoyed knowing Don as a fellow union rep and a friend. Don use to tell everyone in the shop in the mid 70″s how he named his son & daughter Adam & Rhoda and would wait for the surprise look on their faces when they put the two names together. Don was always funny and I will remember his wonderful sense of humor and his genuine smile. It was a blessing in my life to have known Don. I will remember and miss him.

    03/16/2008 –

    JoAn Holcomb (Apple)
    My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time of your loss. My name is JoAn Holcomb(Apple). I am the youngest daughter of Larry Apple. Donny was my cousin. I know we didn’t really know each other but he was my cousin and family is family. I am sorry for your loss.

    03/15/2008 –

    marilyn chapin
    Cyndy We are so sorry to hear of Dons passing. Our love and prayers are with you.
    Sincerely Steve and Marilyn Chapin

    03/14/2008 –

    Craig and Gayla Schachtele
    Will never forget the fun we have had and knowing what a wonderful person Don was will always be in our memories. God Bless you and your families.

    03/14/2008 –

    Eleanor Charland Bishop
    My deepest sympathy to Don Apple’s family for your loss. My husband (deceased) Don Charland was a POW during WWII. His mother Pansy Charland was a friend of Don’s grandmother Blanche Coleman. When Don Charland was missing in action during WWII, Pansy Charland asked /Dorothy to name one of the twin’s after him. They did and that’s how Don got his name.
    All of Don’s outgrown baby clothes went to Don’s Charland boy’s Tom and Jerry. They were always appreciated.
    My prayers are with your family at this difficult time. With sympathy, Eleanor Charland Bishop 7126 Ravenna Trail Lansing, MI 48917

    03/14/2008 –

    Jamie (Bliesener) Nelson
    Cyndy, Introductions first…I am Jamie Nelson. When I was young my family lived across the street from Don, Tim and Don (The Bliesener’s).
    Though it’s been years, Don and the boys were and always will be extended family. As I said in our card…these condolences are being sent way too early. We are truly saddened to hear of Don’s passing.
    My father is in Florida, I live in Washington, D.C. and we have a brother who lives in Greece (my father Ken a brother and sister)are still in Lansing thought. We wish we could be with all of you to share some of the best memories of our lives. Please tell Tim and Don we love them.
    I can be reached at (571) 243-3336 or msnelson60@yahoo.com
    Please take care…I’m sure you are a great lady because Don was a great man.
    Jamie Nelson

    03/14/2008 –

    mary j. maginity
    DEAR PEG, JUDY AND DAN,
    SENDING MY LOVING SYMPATHY TO YOU AND TO DON’S FAMILY. IN THE PICTURE IN THE PAPER, DON LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE HIS DAD! I’VE THOUGHT OF YOU “KIDS” SO OFTEN OVER THE YEARS, ALWAYS WITH THE MEMORY OF THE FOUR LITTLE APPLES UNDER THE WINGS OF GRANDMA AND GRANDPA AND SO LOVED. EVEN THOSE IN THE EXTENDED FAMILY WERE CAPTIVATED BY YOU. SO, I’VE KEPT YOU IN MY HEART ALWAYS AND AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR SADNESS.
    GOD BLESS THE IRISH, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO’VE GONE BEFORE US–
    LOVE, MARY JO

    03/14/2008 –

    LINDA SCHLAPPI
    CYNDI, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT DON–MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!!! BOB AND LINDA SCHLAPPI

    03/13/2008 –

    Dan & Alice Schueller
    Our prayers for you Cyndy and family. A very friendly man…

    03/13/2008 –

    Sydni, Aaron,and Allie Bearss
    Don was very nice when i met him. He was a wonderful man. God Bless Don and Cyndy. You’re in Sydni’s prayers :)
    -Don was one of the nicest people i new including you, Cyndy. I am praying for him and will miss him very much, especially at the Lake -Allie :)
    Cyndy Don was nice to me. aaron bearss

    03/13/2008 –

    Mike Baird
    Very shocked to read about Don;s untimely death.Always a pleasure working with him. As it said in his obituarie,if you were friends with Don, you had a true friend. He will be missed a great deal.

    03/13/2008 –

    Neil & Michelle Grossberger
    Cyndy What a shock. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. You will be in our prayers. Don will be sorely missed. Neil, MIchelle and family

    03/13/2008 –

    mark cunningham and family
    Cyndy, our deepest thoughts and sympathy are with you and your family.

    03/13/2008 –

    Linda Huson
    Cindy,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Linda

    03/13/2008 –

    Becca Ramos
    This is for Tim- I am so sorry sorry to hear of your loss. Although I never met your Father, I remember you talking about him a lot, and I knew that you thought the world about him. I have lost my own Mother and Father, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, it still hurts. Tim, my prayers are with you and your family.

    03/13/2008 –

    Norval & Mary Ellen Miller
    We were shocked to hear about Don’s passing.What a great guy,wish we had known him better. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Cyndy and all of the family.

    03/13/2008 –

    Tom Harris
    I just wanted to express my sympathy. I was a classmate of Don’s at Resurrection school. I am glad I had the opportunity to see him briefly last summer. It was the first time I had seen in in over 20 years

    03/13/2008 –

    Jack A. Holtrop
    With my most sincere condolences. your friend, Jack (the old man)

    03/13/2008 –

    Kristin Panwas
    Cyndy, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Don!We love you. Kristin,Eric&Trae

    03/13/2008 –

    Dick Hanna
    My sympathies to the family. Don and I worked together as appointed Union Representatives for 5 or 6 years. Don was always very concerned about the union programs and pushing management to better the working conditions and treatment of the hourly work force. I consider Don a good friend and have a great deal of admiration for him. May he rest in peace.
    Dick Hanna, UAW Local 652 Sourcing Rep., Retired.

    03/13/2008 –

    Mary Jane Letzau McNeilly
    I am saddened to learn of Don’s death; he was my 2nd cousin. Don’s grandmother and my father were brother and sister
    After high school I lost track of Don, his sisters and brother although they lived only 2 blocks away. My memories are more of his parents than their children even though I did babysit with them.
    My sympathy goes out to the family at this time of loss. May Don rest in peace.

    03/13/2008 –

    Loretta (Raby) & Stan Martin
    We just heard about cousin Don’s passing from Janie McNeilly. We were very sorry to receive the news.

    03/13/2008 –

    Bev & Jim Thelen
    Cindy, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. It is a very sad day for all of us. We will never forget how you and Don always welcomed us into your place with open arms…like we were best of friends. Please try to treasure the precious time you had together. We will miss him dearly.
    God Bless You Cindy. We’ll be ready for a big hug the next time we see you.
    Bev & Jim Thelen

    03/13/2008 –

    Dave & Kathy Hankins
    Dear Cyndy:
    We were so saddened to hear about Donnie’s death. We will always remember him as a kind and caring friend and will miss him alot. In friendship and love–Dave & Kathy

    03/13/2008 –

    Ted Spagnuolo
    My prayers go out to the family. I remember the Apple family very well. We were classmates at Resurrection, and have great memories of them. I am glad he had such a full and rich life, but I am saddened that it was far to short. Again my prayers are with you Ted Spagnuolo

    03/13/2008 –

    Mertz & Mark Schneider
    Cyndy,
    Our prayers are with you. Although we’ve not had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with you & Don, we wanted to tell you that it has always been very clear to us what a great guy Don is, and what a great marriage you share. Thank you for being a beacon of light in the world through your kindness and love. May you be blessed with peace and many happy memories, and we know you have many. God bless you and your family.

    Mertz & Mark Schneider (Nita’s in-laws)

    03/12/2008 –

    Camille Coscarelli
    Thinking and praying for everyone in Michigan at this time. With love, Cammie

    03/12/2008 –

    Jerry Tripp
    Don was a special fellow at Resurrection School. Well-liked and a very good athlete that always had a smile on his face. His brother and sisters were part of a loving family. I remember the Coleman’s as always being a great support to the family. May God bless you Cynthia and the children and to Dan, Judy and Peggy in your loss.

    03/12/2008 –

    Kolet Logan
    Tim, Donny & Family: Our thoughts are with you. You have our sympathies. Just know we are all thinking of you. Love, The Legends gang: Big D, Karen & Troy, Kolet & Gonzo, Vickie & Hobo, Sarah, Jeremy & Amanda, Steve, Virginia, Shannon and AmyGirl

    03/12/2008 –

    Nicole Coscarelli Anderson
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Mom will be flying in. Love, Nicole Anderson and family

    03/12/2008 –

    Doug & Deb McDaniels
    Cindy, Our prayers are with you and your family.
    Love, Doug and Deb McDaniels

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