Donald Joseph Digna, 64, passed away on February 3rd, 2024, reuniting with his parents and brother. Don was born February 27,1959 to Regina (Beauchamp) and Glenn Digna in Taylor, Michigan, the third of their five children. Don wore many hats over the years, including engineer, business manager, husband, father, brother, uncle and most recently: grandfather.

Generous to a fault, Don dedicated his life to serving his family as well as his community in every way that he could. One Christmas he knew a particular family whose energy had been turned off and would have nothing for Christmas Day and so paid their heating bill, bought two laundry baskets of food, and wrapped some toys his children wanted to donate. He never told them what he did. That was how he preferred it: constantly paying it forward.

Don did not have an easy childhood, but he learned kindness and a work ethic that would carry him through his life. He finished high school and went to university where he would study during the week and come home to work every weekend. He graduated at the top of his class and went into engineering. As an engineer, he has been credited with an invention or two and climbed the ladders of various companies into leadership positions. At one stage, his supervisor refused to take a promotion in another state unless Don was brought with them. Don and his family moved to California where he eventually became that supervisor's supervisor!

In the aftermath of losing his own father at a young age, nothing mattered more to him than showing up for his children. He counted every day, every phone call, every visit with them as a blessing. One year when his youngest was small, he took Marie to her team's Saturday morning soccer game in Eastlake, only for there to be no referees. Rather than letting the two teams go home disappointed and in spite of his less than spectacular heart health, Don stepped in as referee for the game; running up and down the field with all of the children until the game was done and he was out of breath, but the smiles on his daughter and her teammates' faces was worth it for him. Putting in this kind of time and effort for his children and grandchildren was the absolute joy of his life.

In recent correspondence with his children, Don had expressed his love and gratitude for a great many people who impacted his life including his colleagues at the various companies he's worked with over the years, including Irwin Magnetics, Seagate, McDonnell Douglas, and in his own words "most wonderful of all", the Catholic Community of Manistee. He also expressed his love for his dear siblings, his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for their care and support and guidance over the years. Don was particularly grateful to the Mazzolas, Boruckis, Romatzes, Beauchamps, Kaisers, Marshmans, Cranstons, and many others for adopting him into their families. He loved them all so very much.

Donald Digna is survived by sister Amy Mazzola (Vito), sister Cheryl Romatz (Micheal), sister Patti Borucki (Brent), brother Gary Hendrickson, daughter Krystal Polakowski, son Daniel Digna, daughter Marie Digna; grandchildren Samson and Lucian; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in Manistee, Michigan. Visitation will take place at Herbert Funeral Home from 9:30 am until 10:30 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at Divine Mercy Parish, in Manistee, with Reverend Joseph Muszkiewicz and Reverend Mitchel Roman celebrants. Private family graveside services will follow the mass, at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee. Don's children invite attendees to come wearing Don's favorite color: maroon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity or Echo His Love, Inc., two organizations which Don worked very closely with over the years.

Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.