Donald M. Lemley

Donald M. Lemley, 69, of Vicksburg, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Don was born May 26, 1953, in Huntington, New York, the son of Donald and Susan (O’Leary) Lemley. He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in 1971, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served for a total of four years, two years in the DMZ as munitions expert with nuclear training. Upon his discharge he returned to New York where he worked as a police officer and an EMT. He began his career in security in Milwaukee at Alexian Village Senior Living, where he worked his way up to director of purchasing and security. He attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, earned a degree in accounting and became a Certified Fraud Examiner. In 2000, Don met his future wife, Francesca Bartocci, online. As they got to know each other, Don ended up moving to Michigan and on July 7, 2001, they were married at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg. He continued his career in security at the Battle Creek Federal Center, where he retired in 2007. In his spare time, Don was a huge New York Yankees baseball fan, was an avid Strat-O-Matic player, enjoyed reading non-fiction, and proudly supported the Wounded Warrior Project and the ASPCA. He had an enormous love and soft spot in his heart for animals, especially his beloved dogs and cats.

Don is survived his wife of 22 years, Francesca, and his niece, Victoria Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Roger Scott.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2023, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5855 E. W Avenue, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Family and friends may gather at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2023. For those wishing to attend the committal service please arrive at the assembly area at Fort Custer by 1:15 p.m.

While visiting Don’s webpage at amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle, and/or sharing a memory with the family. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to the ASPCA www.aspca.org.

The Lemley family is being cared for by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes Vicksburg Chapel, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097, (269) 649-1697.