Donna Fout
Feb. 8, 1919-April 9, 2008
NILES - Donna Fout, 89, of East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Niles, died at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, in Porter Hills Health Center in Grand Rapids following an extended illness.
Mrs. Fout was born on February 8, 1919, in Niles, to Earl and Blanche (Pirnie) Clark. She was a lifelong resident of Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1937.
Donna served the City of Niles as Deputy City Clerk and then 10 years as City Clerk, for a total of 31 years at City Hall. As City Clerk, she was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Mobile Homes. From 1987-1995 she served as Berrien County Commissioner representing the City of Niles. She represented the Mental Health Board from '87- '97.
Donna was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, The Order of the Eastern Star Niles Chapter #332, Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls, Niles Historical Society, Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club where she was elected as the first female club president, and DeColores Ministry of Southwest Michigan.
On October 19, 1938 in LaPorte, Indiana, she married Donal J. Fout, who survives. They would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of their marriage this year.
Mrs. Fout is also survived by her daughter, Judith D. Schmitt of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Donal E. Schmitt of Chicago, Illinois, and Christina A. Hankins of Rockford, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Emily, Chase, Gavin and Jenna Hankins.
Donna was preceded in death by two brothers, Merlin Horace Clark, who died August 19, 1994, and Leo Clark, who died October 14, 1969.
The funeral service for Donna Fout will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 14, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with Rev. Janet Van Lear of the church officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call from 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Eastern Star rites at 7:30 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Donna Fout may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church in Niles or Porter Hills Health Center, 3600 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown