As a young man, Don began his 34-year-long career as a parts inspector at General Electric. There he met Mary Lee, whom he married in 1957. For 69 years, Don and Mary Lee loved each other well and built a life together with their four children: LuAnn, Randy, Tom, and Beth.
From the beginning, Don and Mary Lee centered their home around their faith in Jesus Christ. Having grown up in a Christian home, Don remained a passionate follower of Jesus Christ until the very end. Before he was even born, Don’s parents attended Burnips Wesleyan Church, now Life Change Church. Don went on to faithfully attend that church for his entire life. He served in a variety of capacities, from custodian to children’s Sunday school teacher and board member.
It wasn’t just in his home and in the church that Don lived out his faith, but also in the community. Don’s big smile and fun-loving disposition endeared him to those around him.
Don and Mary Lee frequently would open their home to many of Don’s co-workers and their families. Many friendships were cultivated in this way, and the gospel was shared consistently with love and respect.
Seeing those who were in need or undervalued was natural to Don. He was drawn to those who society had left behind. When a presentation was given at church about the need for ministry at the local jail, Don’s heart was moved into action. And so, after a long day at work, he’d spend evenings at the Allegan County Jail, being a friend to the inmates. Don would offer a listening ear, counsel, and share his relationship with Jesus.
This ministry struck such a chord with Don that upon retirement from General Electric, he took on the role of chaplain at the Allegan County Jail. His love for the inmates ran deep. One time, a young man left a scribbled note of gibberish for Don. He sought out the man to try to make sense of it, only to find that this man was unable to read or write. Seeing a kind heart in Don, the young man asked if Don would teach him. This was beyond anything that Don had ever done, and he didn’t feel equipped. Yet knowing the man was too embarrassed to attend the prison school, Don committed to spend the extra time teaching him to read. Eventually, that man left the prison with a new life opened to him, all because of Don’s love and compassion.
When Don had leisure time, he would be outside in his garden. He loved being surrounded by flowers, creating a beautiful haven in his backyard. Not only did he enjoy cultivating plant life, but he also took great pleasure in caring for birds. With multiple bird feeders, Don would sit in his sunroom and watch them swoop around the yard.
As he aged, he would be found in that sunroom every morning with Mary Lee. They would faithfully take turns reading the Bible and praying together. He’d also have a biography at his side, being an avid reader of non-fiction. Later in the day, Don would often make a trip to his office in the basement. It was a room filled with memories, having memorabilia and photos from before he was born and on into adulthood. Having an excellent memory, Don loved to share stories from his childhood and even wrote them down for future generations. While in his office, Don would study his Bible and spend time in prayer on behalf of all the many people he loved and cared for.
It is hard to say goodbye to a man like Don. He touched hearts everywhere he went and created countless treasured memories. And yet there is joy in knowing that even now, as Don stands before Jesus in heaven, he is hearing these words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Don is survived by his wife, Mary Lee and their four children: daughter, LuAnn Goodman; son, Randy (Jan) Rynbrandt; son, Tom (Barb) Rynbrandt; and daughter Beth (Mike) Klingenberg. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his three siblings; son-in-law Steve, and precious granddaughter, Ashlyn.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Life Change Church, 4250 30th Street, Dorr, Michigan. His family will receive friends at the church an hour and a half before the service, at 9:30 a.m.
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