Donald D. Lada

retired funeral director and former owner, Brown Funeral Home, Grand Blanc, Michigan, died April 9, 2025, at age 87.

Lada graduated from Northwestern Michigan College and Worsham Mortuary College, located in Illinois. Lada began his career in Traverse City, Michigan, as a licensed funeral director with Hibbard Funeral Home; he then worked at Martinson Funeral Home. He later joined Brown Funeral Home.

He volunteered for or on the following: First Presbyterian Church, Eastside Business Association, Avalon Hospice, Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council, The Salvation Army Advisory Council, Flint Rotary Club, Genesee County Child Death Review, Genesee County Emergency Management Team, Education Foundation for Flint Community Schools, Youth Projects Citizens Advisory Board, Flint Classroom Support Fund, Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Latinx Technology and Community Center, IMA Recreation Association, Friends of McFarlan Park, Advance Care Planning Task Force of Greater Flint Health Coalition, Ele’s Place and former The Flint Journal Editorial Board.

Because of his extensive civic involvement, Lada was interviewed by CNN, featured in various local news media and included in an outdoor mural in Flint, Michigan. He was the recipient of the UAW 1-C Veterans Association Life Achievement Award, The Flint Journal Community Advocacy Award, The Salvation Army Hands of Mercy and Jack Hamady Humanitarian Awards, Keys to the City of Flint, Key to the City of Burton, Genesee County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Flint Senior Citizen of the Year Award, Friend of Crossover Award from Downtown Outreach Ministries, City of Flint Volunteer of the Year Award, Youth Projects Roast and Toast Award, Donald Reigle Community Service Annual Award, Tall Pine Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Award, Education Foundation for the Flint Community Schools Light a Candle Award, and Argus Award from the Consortium on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Lada was an associate member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Marine Corps League, as well as a certified presenter of the nationally recognized child abduction prevention program called Escape School. He was involved in local veterans’ events, provided several yearly veterans displays, participated in military recognition ceremonies, coordinated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall at Bluebell Beach thrice, co-chaired the placement of a permanent veteran’s marker at Bluebell Beach and organized a Korean War memorial service for veterans.

Lada is survived by wife Delores, son Douglas, daughter Debra, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.