Donald Lee Kronemeyer, known to all as Don, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, at the age of 80, at his home in Cascade, MI. He was born January 7, 1946, in Holland, Michigan.

Don was a Christian, father, singer, and athlete. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hope College, where he excelled in basketball and was a member of the Fraternal Society.

As a freshman, Don, a hometown hero playing in his first Hope-Calvin game, calmly sank two free throws after the double overtime buzzer to beat rival Calvin Knights and claim the MIAA championship. With the first free throw made, pandemonium broke and Don was carried off the court on the shoulders of his teammates and fans. A few minutes later he returned to the floor and made the second shot.

He went on to build a career in sales and financial services — most recently as a loan officer at Lake Michigan Credit Union — where his humor, affability, and work ethic earned him lasting trust and respect.

Outside of work, Don was happiest spending time with family, singing in the choir at Calvary Church, on the golf course with his friends, or in the company of people he could make laugh. He was competitive by nature and had a gift for lifting the spirits of everyone he encountered, through his dry sense of humor and spirited banter. Given the nickname Gpa, he showed up for important moments, no matter how tedious, and gave the best hugs.

He is survived by his sons and their wives, Loren and Chrishantha Kronemeyer of Chicago and Cullen and Katie Kronemeyer of Grand Rapids; his three adored grandchildren; Loren and Cullen's mom, Joyce Kwekel-Kronemeyer; and his sister, Judie and Dr. Landis Zylman of Holland.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Church, 707 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Memorial gifts may be given to Calvary Church's local ministries or West Michigan Youth for Christ (http://www.wmyfc.org/). Please share a memory or leave a tribute to Don down below.

"His limbs were cast in manly mould, for hardy sports, or contest bold." — Sir Walter Scott, The Lady of the Lake (1810)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10