Donna Zelma Macha

Donna Z. Macha, age 91 of Ithaca, Michigan died peacefully February 18, 2013 at Schnepp Health Care Center in St. Louis, Michigan.

 Donna was born in Gratiot County on September 28, 1921, the first-born child of Zelma (Cochran) and Milo Gabrion. At the tender age of 17, she married Edward Macha on  June 24, 1939 and had celebrated  69 years of marriage at Ed’s passing in 2008. To this union was born one daughter, Linda (Bob) Monroe of Ithaca.

 Donna and Ed lived most of their married life in Gratiot County and Donna enjoyed her life as a homemaker and mother, but often told Linda that some of her happiest years were those of grandmother to Scott, Jennifer, and Mark Monroe. She was  well known for her delicioius baked goods and Ed liked to show off her skills by taking cookies to their favorite auctioneers the Glardons, inviting his customers from his garage business in for his scheduled coffee breaks and rewarding the county workers for plowing out his half mile road in winter so customers could get in. Donna really had the gift of hospitality.

 Her love of  children spread to the family of Walter Zimmerman for whom Ed worked for many years. Freida invited Donna and Linda along when she took the children on vacations up north and Donna would help her at home with ironing and housecleaning.

 Thanks to her beloved sister, Doris and LeRoy Martin, she was able to enjoy her nieces and nephews Lorraine, Jack, Stan, Laura, and Ellen Martin and spread her love of children around some more.

 Her younger brother, Gerald (Marge) Gabrion of Charlotte survives her as does his daughter Larri Gabrion.

 Donna is also survived by the children of Ann and Louis Macha, her nieces Mary (Gordon) Lindsay, Marla Macha, Marcia (Jim) McDaid; nephews David (Kay) Macha, Dennis (Mardee) Macha, Dan (Patty) Macha, and Don Macha and their families.

 She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, sister Doris and LeRoy Martin, brothers-in-law Louis and wife Ann and Leo Macha. Also a favorite niece Lori Linn Gabrion.

 A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Ithaca Food Pantry or Commission on Aging.

 The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[Carol & Dick Merchant]

Sending condolences to you and your family, Linda, in the loss of your mother. May God comfort you and your memories bring happy thoughts and many smiles. With love, Carol and Dick Merchant

[Roger (Cork) Kleinhans]

Linda, So very sorry to hear of passing of your mother. But the memories of her life and all she has shared with you is what you must charish now. It no wonder you are the beautiful person. that I have the pleasure of knowing all these years. I knew your father better, as I had done business with him. My prayers andd thought are with you and your family. As always your classmate,but especialy your freind---Cork Kleinhans

[Babe Quintrall]

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Donna's family and friends. What a wonderful person she was and will be missed by all those privileged enough to know and love her. The Bible gives the hope of a resurrection of those we've lost in death in John 5:28,29 where in says " Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". So we will have the opportunity to see our dead loved ones again but it won't be under the conditions we see in the world now. The book of Revelations gives us a glimpse of the promised life that is possible, in Revelation 21:4 it says "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away". What a wonderful promise to look forward to and hopefully draw comfort from in the days ahead. I am truly sorry for your loss.

[Don and Jeanne Ayers -- Faye Ayers]

Sorry to hear of Donna's passing. My grandpa Art and Ed and Donna were friends for many years. I remember many fishing/camping trips to Drummond Island with them when I was young. They were both great people. Donna was always the nicest lady, always proud of her daughter and grandchildren. I will miss her. My mother Faye also wishes to offer her deepest sympathy. She used to visit Ed and Donna and Donna after Ed's passing at Schenpp's when she could.

[Mitch & Lorraine (Martin) Mitchell]

Dear Linda and family. So sorry to here that your Mom and my Aunt passed away. She had a long life and enjoyed it. I always got a baked good of some sort when I came up to visit, I loved theway her kictchen smelled. We love you Mitch & Lorraine

[Don Zimmerman]

So very sorry to hear of Donna's passing. I have many fond memories from my childhood when Donna used to babysit my younger sister and me while my mother got her hair done or whatever. She used to "help us" bake cookies. In later years I would see her once in a while at an auction, or around town. She always had a smile and a story to tell. What a wonderful lady. I'll miss her greatly.
Don Zimmerman

[Rod Zamarron]

Jenny and Scott, I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. Peace and prayers to you at this difficult time.

[Carolyn Monroe]

Grandma Macha will be missed very much by her only grandchildren Anya Denman Monroe, Lance Edward Monroe, Tasia Marie Monroe that still remember her cooking and baking cookies and her laugh, and how much love Grandma gave us when she saw them almost every week-end when they were just born and many years afterwards, the children still talk about her even though we moved away from Michigan she still touched our hearts in so many ways that no one could ever know. We used to visit Ed and Donna at Schenpp's when we could.
Thank you Heavenly Father for taking her to be with her soul mate Grandpa Macha she was so lost when Grandpa passed, now she is found him again. The Treasures that both Grandparents left behind for us. No one can take that away, the memories that we had with you both. Love You Both Always and Forever. Carolyn Denman Monroe Lewis, Anya Denman Monroe, Lance Edward Monroe, Tasia Marie Monroe.