Donna Joyce Labaumbard

Donna Joyce LaBaumbard, 85, of St. Joseph, departed from this life and went home to Heaven on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at The Willows in St. Joseph.

A Celebration of Life Service and Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, of which she was a member for most of her life. Dr. J.O. Hosler will officiate.  Friends may visit with the family at 10 a.m. the same day at the church.  Memorials may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church.  Online messages may be left at www.allredfuneralhome.com.

Donna was born August 2, 1930 in Benton Harbor to Theodore and Gertrude (Prillwitz) Menchinger. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1948. On May 23, 1953, she married Richard LaBaumbard in Benton Harbor. 

In addition to raising two sons, Donna tirelessly gave her time in many capacities.  Through her church, she volunteered with women’s ministries, often made visits to nursing homes, played the piano for the Forgotten Man’s Mission at the Berrien County Jail and helped to arrange funeral luncheons. Donna was also a volunteer through Lakeland Regional Hospital, playing the piano at Pine Ridge Nursing Home.

One passion that she was most remembered for is her “card ministry.”  Donna kept track of dates and, almost daily, sent out cards (with personal notes) to friends, church family members and relatives. She sent sympathy cards, acknowledged birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other special occasions. But more than anything, Donna never missed an opportunity to encourage anyone, which was truly a gift for her. She had a deep sense of compassion and empathy for those who were going through difficulties in life, and always wanted to pass on an encouraging thought to lift them up.

Donna was an extremely outgoing lady who enjoyed getting to know people. Her ”filter-less” sense of humor often entertained her family on many occasions, leaving them with great stories and memories. It was rare that Donna would miss any activity of a grandchild. She often attended basketball games, soccer games, baseball games, piano recitals, academic achievements and special persons’ days at school. Words could never express her devotion and love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be terribly missed at parties, family gatherings, holidays and visits.

Donna is survived by her sons, Bruce (JoAnn) of St. Joseph and Rolland (Patti) of St. Joseph; five grandchildren: Jason (Jen) LaBaumbard of Wyoming, Michigan, Matthew LaBaumbard of St. Joseph, Josh (Lindsay) LaBaumbard of Shelbyville, and Lauren and Jaclyn LaBaumbard of St. Joseph; great-grandchildren: Taylor and Evan LaBaumbard, and “one due in August” and Silas LaBaumbard; brother-in-law, Bob Tropp; niece, Denise (Pat) Yates; nephew, Gary (Shellie) Tropp; and cousins, Paul (Marcie) Zoschke and Charlotte Tauilen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, May 20, 2012; her parents; her siblings, Theodore, Donald, and Margaret; and her sister-in-law, Carol Tropp.

Visitation:
Napier Parkview Baptist Church
245 W. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Funeral:
Napier Parkview Baptist Church
245 W. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022