Cover photo for Donald Frederick Greenleaf's Obituary
Donald Frederick Greenleaf Profile Photo

Donald Frederick Greenleaf

November 20, 1947 — December 23, 2022

DONALD FREDERICK GREENLEAF
75 of Cass City, went to be with the Savior he loved on December 23, 2022. He was born in Cass City on November 20, 1947 to Harold and Helen (née Battel) Greenleaf.

As a youngster, Don’s life centered around the Battel family farm, where he enjoyed time with his grandparents and Uncle Lester. Don loved telling stories about his early years, particularly about the events and villagers of generations past.

Don came to an understanding of the gospel early on. He realized that he was a sinner, but that God provided forgiveness from sin for all those who, by faith, put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Throughout his life, Don lovingly shared the gospel with those in his sphere of influence, wanting for them to experience the same freedom in forgiveness that he knew.

One of Don’s greatest passions was music. It all began in the 1950s, when Don and his parents attended an evangelistic meeting in Saginaw. There, Don heard a Hammond organ for the first time—from then on, he was hooked.

Throughout the years, he played at innumerable weddings, funerals, community functions, and church services. He was featured on a gospel music album in the late 1960s and sang, for many years, with the Tom Thumb Singers. It was Don’s desire that his music would not only entertain and encourage, but that it would ultimately bring glory to God.

Don graduated from Cass City High School in 1966. He worked at Little’s Funeral Home, playing the organ during visitation. For more than 30 years, Don worked as a teller at the Pinney State Bank, later Chemical Bank. He enjoyed his coworkers and made a point of getting to know as many of the bank’s customers as possible. Indeed, there was hardly a resident of Cass City that Don did not know in some way, due in no small part to his time at the bank.

Besides music, Don had many other interests and talents. He grew beautiful flowers and gave them, in stunning arrangements, to those he cared about. Don also enjoyed tending his vegetable garden, caring for his beloved cat, Smokey, baking his legendary pies, and driving fast in his 1973 Buick Electra.

Don was a member of First Baptist Church of Cass City, where he served as the organist for many years.

Among his extended family, Don is survived by his first cousins Paul (Mary) Battel of Cass City, Linda (Michael) Stec of Cass City, and Sue Werschky of Caro. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral and committal service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City with Ty Perry officiating. Private burial will be in Elkland Township Cemetery in the spring. Memorials may be made to Revive Ministries Common Grounds Cafe.

Visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Frederick Greenleaf, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, December 29, 2022

10:00 - 11:00 am

Add to Calendar

Kranz Funeral Home Cass City

6850 Main St
Cass City, MI 48726

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am

Add to Calendar

Kranz Funeral Home Cass City

6850 Main St
Cass City, MI 48726

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Videos

Guestbook

Visits: 55

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors