DONALD NEIL SEYFRIED, age 100
Of New Bremen, died on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 8:15 P.M. at the Ohio Hospice of Miami County, in Troy, Ohio after suffering a stroke. He was born on October 23, 1920 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of the late Albert John and Sara Alice (Hill) Seyfried. On September 4, 1948, he married Margaret L. “Pat” Rau, and he remained a devoted husband over these 72 years. He was a loving father to his three daughters: Susan (David) Popwell of Decatur, GA, Diane (Robert) Strawn of Lakeside Park, KY, and MaryAnn (Glenn) Seyfried-Clemmons of Ashburn, VA. He was grandfather to Dr. Jeffrey (Lara) Strawn, Jeremy (Nicole Romstadt) Clemmons, Mallory Clemmons, Courtney Clemmons, and great-grandfather to twins Rachel and Elliott Strawn. He was fondly known as U.D. to his countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth D. Stewart.
Don was a 1938 graduate of Eastern Lansing High School and in 1948 graduated from Michigan State University College of Engineering. He had served in the United States Navy as a Water Tender 3rd Class during World War II from 1944 until 1946 aboard a water tender repair ship. In 1951, Don and Margaret made their home in New Bremen where they raised their three daughters. Don had served as the Assistant Chief Engineer for the Minster Machine Company and retired from there in 1982. During his time at Minster Machine, he became a member of their 25 year club, and also held several patents for his designs. He was an active member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen as a lector and usher. He was a member of the New Bremen American Legion Post 241. Don will be remembered as an accomplished golfer. He had served as a high school girls assistant coach and had been a mentor to many students over the years. He had been a member of the Arrowhead Golf Association, and loved to share his passion for the game with everyone.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn and Deacon Greg Bornhorst officiating. The Mass will also be live-streamed on church’s YouTube and Facebook pages (www.hrcatholic.org). Inurnment will take place at a later date in the St. Joseph the Worker Cemetery in Beal City, Michigan. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and also at the church one hour prior to the Mass on Friday morning. The family requests that memorial contributions can be made towards a girls golf scholarship that will be established through Minster Education Foundation, the Church of the Holy Redeemer (120 S. Eastmoor Drive, New Bremen, Ohio 45869) or the Ohio Hospice of Miami County (P.O. Box 502, Troy, Ohio 45373).