Donna Jean (Gierlach) Powell

Donna J. (Gierlach) Powell unexpectedly passed away on Thursday September 12, 2019 in Trenton Michigan at the age of 61. Donna was born to Alex and Barbara Gierlach (Swisher) on August 28, 1958 in Dearborn Michigan.  Donna was a very thoughtful, caring and loving woman to all people she knew. She always had a smile and kind word and would often give her family and friends thoughtful little gifts. Donna adored her grandchildren and she and her daughter Melissa were best of friends.  Donna and Lonnie have a unique and almost fairy tale love story. Donna and Lonnie met as tweens when their families lived in Detroit. Lonnie’s family lived on the next block over from Donna’s and, as things were back in this time, kids in neighborhoods got acquainted and played outside. Over time, Lonnie and Donna became boyfriend/girlfriend. After a year or so Donna’s family moved out to Fowlerville while Lonnie’s stayed in Detroit. While they continued to keep in touch, they lived separate lives for many years. Fast forward to 2003. A single Lonnie drove out to Fowlerville to Donna’s family home to see where she now lived. He was able to locate Donna where she worked at a local grocery store and went through her checkout line with flowers in hand. In short order they rekindled their relationship and were married on April 18, 2005. They have been happily married for the past 14 years. Donna is survived by her mother Barbara Gierlach (Swisher), loving husband Lonnie Dale Powell (who she affectionally refers to as “Lonnie Dale”), cherished daughter Melissa Evink (husband TJ), four adorable grandchildren Trevor Lewis, Kyla Evink, Teagan Evink, and Edison Campbell. Donna has four surviving sisters Debbie O’Dell (children, Christina Lacey (Ian), Andria Cable (J’son), Brian Schweizer and Robert O’Dell), Janet Stepen (husband Karl, children,Natasha Stepen, Shannon Stepen and Kayla Stepen), Nancy Gierlach (children, Scott Skalski, Cody Langford and Brandon Wiles), and Cathy Gierlach (children, Alayna Gierlach). Donna is also survived by a large and loving extended family consisting of in-laws Joyce and Ed LaCasper, stepdaughter Mellissa Campbell (husband Stan), cousins, and other family and friends too numerous to list but not forgotten. Donna was preceded in death by her father, Alex Gierlach. Visitation for Donna will be held on Tuesday, September 17th 9 – 11 a.m. at Herrmann Funeral Home, 1005 E. Grand River Ave, Fowlerville, MI 48836. Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served after funeral services at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 855 E Grand River Ave (church is next to the funeral home)

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