Linda L. Donley's Obituary
Linda Lee Donley, age 84, passed away in Muskegon, MI, on Monday, May 26, 2025. Linda was born in Wabash, Indiana, to Hazel (Lorenz) and Eugene Fethke on December 29, 1940. She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School and went on to receive her bachelor's degree in education from Wayne State University. On September 2, 1960, she married James R. Donley D.D.S., and the two of them spent 64 wonderful years building their family together. Linda worked for ten years as an elementary school teacher but spent most of her career helping run Jim’s dental office. She loved to be involved in her community in different ways; she was a docent at the Muskegon Museum of Art, a Girl Scout Leader, and also served on the Welcome Wagon and the Whitehall High School Music Boosters. She enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, and playing cards. She was blessed to travel to many places over the years, including trips to Ireland, Alaska, France, and Hawaii. She was very social, she never met a stranger and would give hugs out wherever she could.
Linda will be lovingly remembered by her husband, James R. Donley D.D.S.; three children: Cindy (Don Klinger) Donley-Klinger, Jim (Shannon) Donley II, and Steven Donley; six grandchildren: Katy (Chris) Valasin, Lindsey (Ethan) Hassevoort, Sara (Dan Tower) Dobrowski, Nikki Donley, Jamie Donley III, and Steven Donley; four great-grandchildren: Anberlyn Valasin, and Avah, Micah, and Josiah Hassevoort; brother, Eugene Fethke; and brother in-law, Chris Donley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Eugene Fethke; sister in-law, Karen Fethke; and brother in-law, Pat Donley.
A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held for Linda at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Connection Point Church, 2270 S Mill Iron Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442. VISITATION will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI, 49442, as well as an hour prior to the service on Friday. The family requests that rather than wearing dark colors attendees wear something brightly colored to celebrate Linda’s bright disposition and positive spirit! In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Harbor Hospice Foundation. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com.
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