Donald A. Hein

There are so many things about Donald Hein that will be missed including his dry sense of humor, the twinkle in his eye, or one of his great stories, but it will be his tender heart and spirit of compassion that can never be replaced. Don was a man of integrity and a man of faith who was always thinking of others ahead of himself. He was a man with many interests and hobbies, but it was easy to see that spending time with his family topped his list. Don embraced the days he was given and in doing so, he created a colorful mosaic of memories that will be forever treasured by those who knew and loved him.

The year 1922 was part of a vibrant decade of prosperity and innovation in America as technology was advancing around every corner. This was the year in which the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., insulin was first used to treat diabetes, and the radio first made it to the White House. This was a year of great significance in the family of Fred and Esther (Seiseman) Hein as they welcomed the birth of their son, Donald Alfred, on January 2nd. Donald was born in Corunna, Michigan, located in Shiawassee County as one of six children in his family. He attended local schools and graduated from Corunna High School in 1939.

Our country will never forget the vicious attack on our naval base in Pearl Harbor, which led President Franklin Roosevelt to declare war and with that, America officially entered WWII on December 8, 1941. Don was one of the brave young men who served our country during this time of need. He served in the United States Air Force in the Aleutian Islands, a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands located in the Northern Pacific Ocean. It was while he was in the service that Don’s heart became intertwined with the heart of the young woman with whom he would share more than 60 years. Her name was June, and they met through a fellow serviceman and friend of Don’s. He started writing letters to June and she reciprocated. They communicated in this way for three-and-a-half years. Once he was discharged, Don took the train to Holland to meet his sweetheart, and she was immediately drawn to his wavy hair. The couple fell deeply in love and was married on December 5, 1945, at her parents’ home.

After enjoying a honeymoon in Chicago, the newlyweds were anxious to begin their new lives together. In order to support his new bride, Don worked at Baker Furniture. Their family grew to include two wonderful daughters, Cynthia and Linda, whom both Don and June adored. After working at Baker Furniture for 20 years, Don began working for Howard Miller Clock Company where he remained for 12 years before retiring. He then worked part-time for Zeeland Record. Their family was members of Trinity Reformed Church where Don attended Sunday school sessions. One of Don’s favorite things to do was to attend church where he enjoyed both the worship and the fellowship with his church family.

Throughout his life, Don enjoyed a variety of interests. He was a lifetime member of the Holland VFW Post 2114 where he was actively involved during his younger years. Together with June, Don liked to travel with some of his favorite trips being out west to visit various ghost towns. Another one of his favorite trips was the one he took to China with his daughter Linda and his grandson, Jeff. Don enjoyed the old country western music and his favorite song was “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette).” He loved to watch All in the Family and Laurel and Hardy movies, and since he never cooked a meal in his life, Jackie’s Place Restaurant was a favorite destination. Don loved fishing, especially with his grandsons, and he loved using his metal detector to look for trinkets. He had a workshop behind his garage where he did a lot of work with scrap metal, and he also spent many hours in his garden. Don loved watching the Chicago Cubs and the University of Michigan play football as often as he could.

Donald Hein was a passionate man whether it was about his faith, his family, or the many things he enjoyed. He was a collector of many things including coins, postcards, tobacco tins, Jim Beam bottles, and old bottles in general. Don enjoyed eating goulash or a home-cooked meal at Jackie’s Place, and he loved seeing the world, too. Don cherished his various collections, but nothing was closer to his heart than the memories he made gathering with family including the moments he spent with his special granddaughter, Robin. He was a remarkable man who led a remarkable life, and he will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Donald A. Hein of Holland died on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Don’s family includes his wife June of 64 years; daughters, Cynthia A. Mokma of Holland and Linda A. Dryer of Grand Rapids; 5 grandchildren, Laura Diepenhorst, Tom (Sherrie) Mokma, Jeff Dryer, Robin Dryer, and Brian (Lilia) Dryer;

6 great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ryan Diepenhorst, Justin and Casey Mokma, and Izaiah and Adriana Dryer; brother, Ray (Eleanor) Hein of Owosso; sister, Doris Ann Pendell of Tacoma, WA; sister-in-law, Carol Hein of Lennon; as well as several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Don was preceded in death by a granddaughter Kimberly Ann Dryer in 1974, son-in-law James Mokma in 2006, and a grandson-in-law Alan Diepenhorst in 2002. Funeral and military services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel – Holland, MI, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, with the Rev. Chris DeGraaf officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visit with Don’s family and friends from 7-9 p.m. on Monday at the chapel. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.