Dortha Lee Conley

Dortha (Donna) Conley A pillar of faith and a safe haven for her family, Donna Conley knew that her strength was not her own. She credited all good things in this life and all her hope for the future to the steadfast love of the Lord and clung to the promise of His unending mercies and great faithfulness. (Lam. 3:21-26) On August 28, 1943, Donna was born in the small historic town of Salyersville, Kentucky. With twelve siblings, there were plenty of opportunities to learn about self-sacrifice, hard work, and family devotion, values she kept for the rest of her life. Donna’s family moved to Michigan when she was a child. It was there that she met the love of her life, Wally Conley. Together they traveled to many places around the world and wintered in Florida, but she always said, “There’s no place like home.” During their sixty years of marriage, they shared all of life’s joys and sorrows. In business, as in all other ways, they were a perfect team, working at Farnsworth Chevrolet and Oldsmobile and then running their own lawn and garden equipment stores in Plainwell and Kalamazoo until retirement. They raised two children and created a place on their farm for family to grow up among meadows, woods, and creeks. Donna saw motherhood as her greatest honor. When grandchildren began to arrive, she loved nothing more than spending time with them, and great grandchildren multiplied her joy. Her hope in life and death was that she belonged to her Savior Jesus Christ, and her greatest desire was for everyone in her life to know that same hope. Donna now sees fully the truth of Job 19:25-26: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Donna died on Thursday, January 14, 2021, in Martin, Michigan, at peace and surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Conley; two children, Christopher Conley of Otsego, Michigan, and Lori (Daniel) Torres of Martin, Michigan; five grandchildren: Tara (Joel) Light, Jacob (Karen) Torres, Kaitlyn (Jordan) Smith, Destri Conley (Sam Garrison), and Kail Conley; and nine great grandchildren: Bennett, Hudson, Phoebe, Ava, Carter, Grayson, Nova, Summer, and Emile. A private graveside service will be held at East Martin Cemetery on January 18, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northbridge Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. ________________________________________ Donations: Northbridge Church 8824 Douglas Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 https://northbridge-church.churchcenter.com/giving While visiting Dortha’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle, and/or sharing a memory with the family. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; Marshall & Gren Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).