Obituary of Donald Aloysius Horstman

Donald Aloysius Horstman… loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, joined his loved ones in heaven on June 25, 2017. Don (eighty-one), was born in Cloverdale, Ohio, to Bernard and Donelda Horstman (the children of German immigrants). Don was the oldest of ten children. He was married for fifty-five years to Eileen Mary Horstman of St. Louis, Michigan. Don and Eileen started their young family life in Cloverdale and Van Wert (Ohio), and continued to raise their children in Jackson and St. Johns (Michigan). After retirement they lived in Midland. Don is survived by his five kids: Keith (Aleah) Horstman, Terry (Susan) Horstman, Michele Horstman, Pam (Jim) Singer, Dave (Jessie) Horstman, and twelve grandchildren. In his younger days, Don worked on the family farm in Cloverdale. Upon graduation from high school, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed as an Honor Guard in Washington D.C. (guarding the plane for President Eisenhower). Don spent his thirty-five year career with Aeroquip in VanWert (Ohio) and in Jackson (Michigan). When weather permitted, he bicycled six miles to work. He taught his children about dedication and resilience, especially in times such as the snow storm of 1978 when he carried his bike to the first plowed road so he could get to work. With every person he met, Don interacted with humor, hospitality, and curiosity. Family and friends were his priority, and he was a peacemaker. Don lived his Catholic faith with conviction and he finally embraced Paul's letter to Timothy;, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8)." Don's Celebration of Life Ceremony will be on July 28th at Blessed Sacrament Church (3109 Swede Ave, Midland, Michigan). An open sharing of memories by his family and friends will begin at 9:30am. Don's funeral liturgy will follow at 11:00am. Family will bury Don's ashes and all are welcome to attend. Burial will be at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery (8232 E. Pleasant Valley Rd, Shepherd, Michigan) at 4:00 pm. In recognition of Don's life long commitment to a faith community, Don had asked that donations be made to Blessed Sacrament's "Kitchen Capital Fund". To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com All sympathy store items must be sent directly to the family home.