June 22, 1929 – December 24, 2024
Donal (Don) D. Hammond of Midland, born June 22, 1929, passed away on Tuesday evening, December 24, 2024. Son of Dwight and Leone Hammond, Don grew up in Vassar, Michigan. He married Sally E. Niederstadt on August 12, 1952. He is survived by four children: Tom (Nicky) Hammond of California, Kay Maier of Gladwin, Dave Hammond of California and Mary Laffey of Midland; nine grandchildren: Barrett (Whitney) Hammond, Justin (Tara) Hammond, Kara Hammond, Mickey (Michelle) Maier, Krista (Donny) Waltz, Donny Hammond, Danny Messinger (fiancé Mark Hopkins), Halee (Andrew) Pirie, and Parker Laffey; five great grandchildren: Nora and Mara Pirie (plus baby boy Pirie on the way), Stryder Hammond, Ireland and Bowen Hammond; brother, George (Mary Ann) Hammond; plus many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife Sally, daughter-in-law Frannie (Dave) Hammond, son-in-law Wayne (Mary) Laffey and son-in-law Tom (Kay) Maier.
Don graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree and joined the Navy in 1952. After three years of active duty, he joined the Naval Reserve and the young couple returned to Michigan, settling in Midland to raise their family. Don accepted a position with The Dow Chemical Company as a chemical engineer and retired in 1991 after 36 years.
Don was committed to community service and held many leadership positions with a number of area agencies, including: Board member and President of the Midland ARC, Board member and President of the Reece Community Living Endeavor, Board member and President of the Kiwanis Club of Midland, Board member and President of the Kiwanis Foundation, Board member and Vice President of Cleveland Manor, and co-chair of the Commercial Division of United Way of Midland. He also provided service to the Red Cross and held many leadership roles with the United Methodist Church at the local, district and conference levels including Conference Secretary.
Don and Sally enjoyed traveling together, planning long-distance trips across the country, exploring new places and revisiting places from the past.
Don was such a wonderful man, a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, and uncle. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral services for Don will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 from Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home with Pastor Amy Terhune officiating. Military honors will be presented under the auspices of the Midland Honor Guard. Burial will be in Midland City Cemetery. Don’s family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider one of the agencies to which he devoted much of his time. All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Hammond family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.
Last Updated on March 31, 2025