Obituary of Donald Floyd Gremel

Donald F. Gremel Donald Gremel, 92, of Tucson, while surrounded by his loving family, was escorted by angels to his Heavenly Father, on the evening of Friday, November 9, 2018. Don was born on the family farm (which became a Centennial Farm in 1960) in Sebewaing, Michigan, on February 26, 1926, the son of Herman and Hannah Gremel, and was baptized on March 14, 1926. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Church, and was confirmed in 1940. He was a 1944 graduate of Sebewaing High School. After escorting Marion Bounting home after a dance one evening, he realized he had met the love of his life, and, as they say, "the rest is history". They were married December 1, 1946, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Sebewaing, and would have celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this year. Don and Marion were blessed with six children, Judy (deceased), Gary (Monica), Janet (Mike), Karen (Dave), Sue, and Kathy (Steve). Don (best known as "Papa") was also blessed by his 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Amy (Kevin) and children Katelyn (Evan) and Meghan; Krista (deceased) (Keary) and children Kyle, Tyler and Ryan; Penny (Frank) and children Allyson and Dominic David; Theresa (Lenny, and children Justin, Hayle and Brenden); Kathi and children Olivia and Layne; Tim (Desiree) and children Timothy Jr. (TJ) and Taylor; Elizabeth (Liz) (Chad) and children Dawson and Carmen; Kellie, Jessie and Jordan (Rachel) and child, Elliot. Don was predeceased in death by his parents; siblings, Roy, Delbert, Florence and Frederick; daughter, Judy; granddaughter, Krista. Don was a devout Christian man throughout his entire life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin, and was a special friend to many! Don had an incredible work ethic, and instilled this into his children. He worked the family farm, had a milk route, was employed at Sebewaing Tool and Engineering, until 1969 when he was hired as a machinist by General Motors, Saginaw, Michigan, until his retirement in 1990. He then sold the family farm and relocated with Marion and daughter, Sue, to Tucson, Arizona. His work did not end there. Don was a man of many trades. He was a dedicated servant of God at Messiah Lutheran Church, holding many offices within the church and performed landscaping work. After joining Ascension Lutheran Church in 1994 he also held various offices and did landscaping work (working closely with his good friend, Marlyn Kienbaum). He also performed landscaping work for many friends in the Tucson area. Don's interests were church, family, traveling, a great game of dominoes (chicken leg), keeping up his home and yard, tinkering in his shed, watching his favorite shows (including The Price is Right and Gunsmoke), going out to eat, listening to music at Reid Park, (including The Tucson Pops), going to Gaslight Theater, and enjoying time with his special friends (Marty, Roy and Al from Cardiac Rehab); (Marty and LuAnn, Ron and Carol, and Marlyn and Pauline from church) and an ice cold beer now and then. Special thanks to daughters, Karen, Janet, and Susan for all the constant support, care and time given to their Dad during this last year. Visitation will be held at Adair Funeral Home Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern, Tucson, AZ, on Wednesday, November 14, 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 15, 11:00 a.m., at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1220 W. McGee Rd., Tucson, with luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Mite Box Fund; Ascension Lutheran School, Tucson, AZ; Casas De Los Abuelos, 2015 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ. 85704, or a charity of choice. Don always stated that "Heaven is My Home".