Deacon Francis Olmstead

Deacon Donald Francis Olmstead, 76 of Huntington, Texas, former St.Ignace Division Manager of Edison Sault Electric passed away Sunday morning, September 29 at Memorial Health System of East Texas Emergency Room in Lufkin,Texas. He was born on May 18,1937 in St.Ignace to Ora and Virginia(Routhier) Olmstead. He graduated from LaSalle High School, class of 1956; and worked on construction of the Mackinac Bridge .He retired from Edison Sault Electric after 40 years of service; on July 1,1998; and worked both in St.Ignace and Manistique. He started as a Groundman "Grunt", and worked his way up to Division Manager. He became a Deacon of St.Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, and was ordained on December 13, 1996 at the Cathredral in Marquette. He performed many weddings on Mackinac Island and St.Ignace,..and was very active for many years, calling on people in the area, and participating at Masses at both St.Ignace and Moran. He also was active in Prison Ministry; and active with the Hope ministry in St.Ignace. He was a 4th Degree K of C.He liked to travel in their motorhome, and spent the past 4 years in Texas near his daughter and family. He would return every summer to St.Ignace except this summer of 2013, when illness took it\'s toll. He has left a mark on many lives in the St.Ignace area; and could talk and council anyone. He will be sorely missed. He married Zoe Clark on October 13,1956 in St.Ignace and she survives; also 3 sons Gilbert and Allison Olmstead of Concord, N.C.; Timothy and Sue Olmstead of Elgin, Illinois; and David and Mary Olmstead of Kentwood;a daughter, Jacquelyn and Casey Evans of Lufkin, Texas; His mother, Virginia Olmstead, St.Ignace; sister in law, Joan Olmstead, LakeForest, Washington; grandchildren; Andrew (Lisa); Michael(Charlotte); Josh; Benjamin; Matthew; Amy Lynn (Jesse); Sarah; Kristen (Aaron); and Oliver. and 1 great grandson Wyatt; and a great granddaughter Rachel; also a nephew Brent and a niece Stephanie. He was preceeded in death by a son, Donald Jr. on September 10,1988 and a brother John Oran in 2002. Friends may call at St.Ignatius Church in St.Ignace on Friday from 4 to 7 pm when parish prayers will begin. Also visitation fron 9 to 11 am on Saturday with Rosary at 10 am. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 am on Saturday, October 5 with Fr. Pawel Mecwel; Fr. Francis Dobrzenski; and Deacon Tom McClelland officiating. Also many other Priests and Deacons will participate. Burial will be in St.Ignatius Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in Deacon Dons name to the Diocese of Marquette; Seminarian Scholarship fund; with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted the family with arrangements. Pallbearers were Armond Horn; Brent Kanitz; Eddie Massey; Dick Bentley; Mark Jersin; Donald Gustafaon; honorary pall bearers were Terry Smith; Jerry St.Andrew; Joe Frazier; Jerome LaJoice.

Tributes

Deacon Francis Olmstead

September 29, 2013