Marylin (Walter) Donat

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Marylin May (Walter) Donat, age 84, of Rome City and Orchard Pointe in Kendallville, passed away January 28, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Marylin was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 24, 1940, to the late Leonard Walter, Sr. and Lucille (Moses) Walter. She married Richard Earl "Red" Donat on July 8, 1961. He preceded her in death in 1998. She retired from housekeeping with Best Western in Kendallville. Marylin was bestowed the honor of "Best Mom Ever" by her children! She deeply loved her children and grandchildren, and she made sure they knew it by her actions and words of affirmation. She loved Jesus the most and told everyone about faith in Christ and their need for a Savior. She loved her church, South Milford Church of Christ and her special church friends. Marylin loved growing up at the lake. She loved growing flowers, fishing, frog hunting, swimming, skating, and snowmobiling. She loved dancing, shopping, reading, crafts, and making people laugh. Marylin was fun to be around. She was an encouragement to everyone and she just made you feel better after spending time with her. Her family will miss her greatly, but they know that she lived her earthly life to the fullest and they celebrate her homegoing to her eternal life with Jesus. 

Survivors include:
Daughter, Dawn Donat Way Hutcherson and her husband, Rob Hutcherson of Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Son, Terry Donat (deceased) and his wife, Annette Temple Donat of Kendallville. 
Daughter, Kathleen Donat DeMuyt and her husband, Daryl DeMuyt of Sylvan Lake, Rome City.
Daughter, Christine Donat Hartman and her husband, Troy Hartman of Sylvan Lake, Rome City.

Ten grandchildren including: Jennifer (Jamie) Lemanski, Jessi (David) Ritchie, Jamie Espinoza, Ann Hutcherson, Damen (Rachel) DeMuyt, Brittany (Kamren) Ramey, Brandon (Megan) Donat, Josh Donat, Hannah (Damien) Williams and Blake Hartman. 17 great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren.

Marylin was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Lucy Walter; her husband, Richard Donat; her son, Terry Donat who died October 19, 2019; and a brother, Leonard Walter, Jr. in 2003. 

Visitation and life celebration service will both take place Sunday, February 2, 2025, at South Milford Church of Christ. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM followed by a celebration of Marylin's life at 3:00 PM with a luncheon to follow the service.

Private burial will take place on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Orange Cemetery near Rome City. Casket bearers will be Troy Hartman, Daryl DeMuyt, Damen DeMuyt, Blake Hartman, Josh Donat, and Brandon Donat. 

Memorial donations may be made in Marylin's memory to Noble County Transit Authority, South Milford Church of Christ, or the activities fund at Orchard Pointe c/o Christine Hartman. 

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