Obituary of Donn Ellsworth Cramton

Donn E. Cramton

November 18, 1934 - February 24, 2025

Age: 90

Donn was surrounded by his family when he passed away on February 24, 2025. The son of the late Anthony and Hilda (Dashner) Cramton, Donn was born on November 18, 1934 in Saginaw, Michigan. After high school, Donn served in the United States Navy. Upon returning home from the Navy, Donn spent his life in and serving the Saginaw community. He worked in advertising sales for the Catholic Weekly and then the Saginaw News for 36 years in advertising sales and marketing. He served on several community boards, was involved in numerous community organizations and was President of Positive Results Downtown Saginaw. Following retirement Donn worked at Horizons conference center in marketing and was responsible for its successful Town Talk program and community musical events.

Donn’s lifelong passion was music. For over fifty years he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Choir and twelve years as its director. He served as an assistant conductor of the Saginaw Choral Society, conducted the Germania Symphony and Chorus, performed with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and Saginaw Eddy Band. His performing interests extended to acting and directing musicals and plays at Pit and Balcony. He was a long-time trumpet player and performed with a variety of groups from a young age. He was an avid golfer and played as often as he could.

He is survived by his wife Beth and her sons Mark McCulloch (Sarah) and Bryson McCulloch (deceased); his children Donn A. Cramton (Gail), Dave Cramton, Laura Duby, and Ellen Nelson; grandchildren Dave Cramton (Tina), Lucas Cramton, Austin Nelson, Lauren Dieleman (John) and Jesse Duby; four great-grandchildren; brother Dale Cramton (Debi); sister Charlotte Harris (John); several nieces and nephews. Donn was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings Corrine Fini, Robert Cramton and Maybelle Krause.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Symphony Tri-Cities and Heartland Hospice care teams.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 9, 2025 at 1:00pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 121 S. Harrison St, Saginaw, MI 48602. The family will be present from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service to receive visitors and those attending the service. The Reverend Ted McCulloch will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.