Donald Richard Emmerich

Donald Richard Emmerich, 88, died at his recent residence in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, of natural causes on August 22, 2021. Don was born on December 28, 1932 in Vermillion, Ohio, to Henry and Clara Emmerich. The third of four children, Don attended Vermillion High School. Upon graduation in 1950, he went to Saint Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana, for one year before enlisting in the Navy. After a four-year tour that included visits to many of Europe's most beautiful cities, Don received his honorable discharge and re-enrolled in college, choosing to attend John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. This proved to be an auspicious decision. Not only did he earn a university degree from JCU he also met his wife, Ann, whom he married in 1958 and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before Ann's death in 2019. Don started his career working for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Cleveland before taking a job with Colgate-Palmolive. In 1962, Don moved his wife and family, which included three young children at this point, to Lansing, Michigan, and eventually Okemos, Michigan, to sell leather goods, mostly wallets, for Prince Gardner. Don travelled by car with his trusty samples in t...[more]

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developing relationships with customers, big and small, in almost every corner of the Great Lake State. During this time his family grew to six. After, in his words, "bouncing my @$#% all around the state of Michigan," for more than a decade Don transferred in 1973 to the Detroit area, where he could be home every night. He settled in Grosse Pointe Park and lived there until 2001, when he and Ann retired to Naples, Florida. He lived in Naples for 20 years, enjoying the gorgeous weather and living life to the fullest, before moving back to Grosse Pointe this past year. A devoted and loving husband, a terrific Dad, uncle, and grandparent, a big-hearted and loyal friend and a man of deep Catholic faith, Don was always there for anyone who needed him. He became involved in every parish he belonged to, lent his time to numerous Catholic charities, coached little league, and never missed a big moment as his children grew up. Don's family and friends will always remember his gregarious nature, and the way he cried at weddings and graduations. And to know Don was to know the ups and downs of the Michigan State Spartans. Don is survived by his six children, Michael (Becky Williams), Peggy Venditti, Donald (Gwynn Villegas), Tommy (Ann), Kathy Frieh (John), and David (Kim); thirteen grandchildren; brother Jimmy (Luba); sister-in-law Ann, numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Don was predeceased by his wife Ann, brother Mike, sister Mary Robinson (Albert), and sister-in-law Peggy Baugh (Dick). A Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday August 29th, 2021 from 12 noon to 4 pm at Chas. Verheyden, Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, August 30th, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Eternal World Television Network (EWTN), www.ewtn.com/donate or Lustgarten Foundation, www.lustgarten.org/donate/