Francis Donald "Don" Halm
Okemos, Michigan
Age 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 1, 2013. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan on February 1, 1925 to George Theodore Halm and Amalia Stier Halm.
Don attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Saginaw where he played football. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II at the same time as his brothers Bob, Bill and Jack. Don was honorably discharged after serving as a radioman in the Asian Pacific Theater Campaign on the U.S.S. Shellbark.
Don attended Michigan State University on the GI Bill. After graduating in business, Don sold pharmaceuticals for Wyeth and McNeil for more than 40 years. Throughout his life, Don pursued a lifelong passion of gardening, backyard bird feeding, art and movie appreciation, politics, and building and enjoying an extensive jazz music library. Upon retirement, he volunteered for the McRee Guest House, the State of Michigan Historical Museum, Meridian Senior Center, and Lifeline Emergency Response Service.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and ex-wife, Marian Kandler. He is survived by his children, Jim (Carol) of Okemos, Mary Dean of Los Angeles, Tom Halm of Walled Lake, Ted Halm of Big Rapids, Rick Halm of Flushing, Ann (Eric) Kammerer of East Lansing, Jacki Halm of East Lansing; daughter-in-law, Debbie Gibbs-Halm of Grand Blanc; 10 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Burcham Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation for their kind and respectful care of their father.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's memory may be made to the McRee Guest House, 2721 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. Online condolences may be made at: www.greastlansing.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 24, 2013
Mary Dean
July 11, 2013
Liz Dean
My Grandpa was one of the most amazing people I knew. He was such a kind and loving man, and truly cared for others. Every time he walked in the room it would light up. His smile and beautiful blue eyes always put a smile on everyones face including my own. He would always ask how I was doing and was genuinely interested in other people. I will miss my annual visits to go see him and will always cherish the many fond memories I have of him. I remember he would always be mowing his lawn and gardening and feeding the birds. He loved to do that. He was so full of life, loved nature, and was very selfless and had such a big heart. He taught me so much and I will miss him deeply and am glad I have all of our wonderful memories together from when I was little until now.
July 11, 2013
My sympathy Jackie.
July 11, 2013
Jacki Halm
My Dad was a true servent of God. Always volunteer work and helping others and His family when in need. He will be missed greatly
July 6, 2013
Mary Dean
July 6, 2013
Beth Mueller Davenport
We could always count on Don to represent the Halm family at our family celebrations. I'm so glad I saw him one last time a few weeks ago. He was a very special cousin. Sincere condolences to the family.
July 5, 2013
Carol Halm
A happy smile and big bear hug were sure things at each visit to Don's house. A tour of the roses was next on the list, with a fresh snip of bloom and bud to take home. One of my favorite memories goes back many years. It was a warm summer night, dancing at our back yard reception with my brand new father-in-law. I will miss his shiny blue eyes and generous spirit; thankful that he passed that same grin, love of gardening and warm generosity on to my husband, Jim.
July 4, 2013
Gary & Ruth HaberkornHalm
I will always remember Uncle Don's annual family picnic at his home when I was a child. Uncle Don was a nice, gentle man who took a genuine interest in you. Ruth and I extend our deepest condolences to his family.
July 4, 2013
Jennifer Walker
Don loved to talk about movies with my dad and me. He had an extensive knowledge of all types of films and was very passionate about them! Such a wonderful man whose son Rick was a close friend as well.
July 4, 2013
Robert Dean
When I think of Don, I think of one of the last survivors who was truly part of his era--the Roosevelt era--whether it was in his never-give-up labor politics or his abiding enthusiasm for the big jazz bands of the time--he was quite a consistent fellow. We had a lot of good talks over the years and I will truly miss him.
July 4, 2013
Geoff Muldaur
Don was my Jazz buddy. It never took long for our phone chats to get around to Louis, Bix or Django. Jazz lovers are a trustable sort... and Don was certainly that; a real straight shooter and an independent thinker. As Mary's partner, I couldn't have asked for a better Father-in-law.
July 4, 2013
Bill Suska
I was volunteer with Don at the McKree house and always enjoyed our time together. Sorry to read of his passing he was a great guy.
July 4, 2013
Roberta Morey
So sorry to hear about Don. He was one of my favorite cousins. Always enjoyed visiting with him.
July 4, 2013
Mary Dean
July 3, 2013
Mary Dean
July 3, 2013
Mary Dean
July 3, 2013
Mary and Elizabeth Dean
My sister Ann's tribute says so much about our Dad. He was a wonderful Dad and Grandfather and has left us with many memories. I remember a conversation we had about a month and a half ago - he was so curious to know about us; what we were up to and how we were feeling. He lived a solitary life but he reached out to people and found his way to them. He wanted to know about 'you'. We will miss him terribly and those twinkling and beautiful baby blue eyes that lit up every time he smiled. Mary and Elizabeth
July 3, 2013
I wish I had a dad like Don.
Laddie John Dill, Venice, Ca.
July 3, 2013
Dick Kelley
Will miss you Don. My sympathies to his family.
July 3, 2013
Patricia Killam
My condolences, a long time friend.
July 3, 2013
Donna Segerlind
Our deepest Sympathy to the Don Halm family. Don was a great neighbor. We use to see him at Coral Gables.
July 3, 2013
July 3, 2013
Ann Kammerer
I've heard that older people sometimes choose to die on days that are meaningful to them. Summertime, especially July, meant a lot to my Dad. He loved gardening, snapdragons and roses. He loved cutting the grass and building borders with fieldstones. Before his stroke, he told me that some of his happiest memories were the long summer days he spent as a kid on his Uncle Fritz's farm in Michigan's thumb.
While my Dad didn't live his dream of being a small farmer, he did keep a beautiful home and yard for his seven kids. His backyard became a bird sanctuary, full of feeders and birdhouses for songbirds, wrens and woodpeckers. He plotted a garden with yellow snap beans, corn, strawberries and pumpkins. Every corner of the yard was filled with leafy trees or pines.
My dad lived his entire life without a day in the hospital before his stroke in December. He passed away peacefully on July 1—the start of peak summer vacation season. During one of my visits last week to see him at the extended care facility, he told me he was working hard to get things ready for summer around the house. He described how he had just got done cutting the grass, watering the flowers and letting the dog in and out of the breezeway. Then he looked at me and asked if I could help move the picnic table.
Yesterday when I went to his old house to pick up a suit and tie for his burial, I saw some of his purple flowers in full bloom, nodding on thin stems outside his front door. A few bird rustled the bushes and dry leaves swirled at my feet. When I walked in the breeze way, I saw the glider when he sometimes sat and listened to Tiger baseball--his favorite boys of summer.
Thank you to everyone for your kind friendship during my father's illness.
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