Donald A. (Butch) Laier, age 77, of Chelsea, MI, passed away on April 28, 2020 at his farm, doing what he loved: riding his tractor, working the field.
He was born in Ann Arbor, MI on May 24, 1942, son of Gustave and Rose (Merkel) Laier. In 1964, in Manchester, MI, he married the love of his life, Patricia (Penny) Schneider, and she survives.
All his life, Butch was a farmer and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Chelsea and served on the Lima Township Board for 20 years. Butch loved tractors of all kinds, hunting, and playing Euchre. He was a long-time volunteer at the Chelsea Community Fair, member of the Future Farmers of America, and a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association.
Survivors include his wife, and their daughter, Linda (Jacob) Newman of Birmingham, AL; his sisters, Sr. Helen Laier, OP of Adrian, MI, and Mary Teresa (George) Trumbull of Spring Hill, FL; granddaughters, Catherine Donohue and Taryn Hibbitt; many special nieces and nephews; close friends, Harold Burchett and family, and John Drew and family, as well as countless other friends. Preceding Butch in death was his son, Rodney A. Laier, as well as his brothers: Carl, Edward, Thomas, infant Lawrence, and Robert.
A private Graveside Service will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea. Butch’s family asks that expressions of sympathy be given to the St. Louis Center, Chelsea.
Here is the link for his service
