Donna Kaye Mishler's Obituary
Donna Kaye (Stewart) Mishler, 66, went to be with the angels in the early hours of December 24th, 2025. After a month-long “Farewell Tour,” she was surrounded by her loved ones in her final days as she made the transition at the family farm.
Born in Flint Michigan, to Joyce and Donald on May 25, 1959. Her early life was a mixed bag of experiences, as her parents were divorced early on. She spoke of enjoying time with her siblings and many cousins at her maternal grandparents Maude and Doulas Wheeler’s house in Coral, MI. Eventually she moved with her mother and siblings to Big Rapids, MI. In high school, she was a cheerleader for the Cardinals and could proudly recite the high school fight song and do the fight song dance years and years later. After graduating from BRHS in 1977, she went on to attend Ferris State University where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Higher Accounting.
Donna worked at several Big Rapids “institutions” over the years including The Alibi as the book keeper and Chemical Bank in a variety of positions. After retiring in 2019, she pursued work as a substitute teacher and later as a paraprofessional at Crossroads Charter Academy. Working at Crossroads was truly fulfilling, as she loved working with several teachers and a handful of students whom she held very dear.
Over the years Donna served a number of organizations including Big Rapids Figure Skating Club, United Way, St Peter’s Lutheran Church and School, Mecosta County 4-H Beef and Equine Clubs, and likely several others we’ve forgotten about.
One of the things Donna was most proud of was being the mother of her children and a grandmother to her grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving husband, David; her children and grandchildren: Nichole (Aditya) Nadkarni; Jason (Samantha) Mishler and their children, Selah and Sutton, with a future baby Mish; Alexander (Alaina) Mishler and their children, Paxton and Rowan; and Elizabeth Mishler.
She is also survived by her sisters, Deborah Stewart and Melissa Moss; brother, Tommy (Katrina) Stewart; sister-in-law, Diana Jorgensen; mother, Linda Spear; and many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Donna is further survived by her dear best friends, Sandy Hatchew and Lisa Voelker.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Bishop; her in-laws, Don and Yvonne Mishler; her nephew, Trevor Moss; and her bonus dad, Norman Spear.
The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 408 W. Bellevue, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307. Donna’s family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday at the church.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Peter’s School and Angels of Action.
What’s your fondest memory of Donna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donna?
Share a story where Donna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donna you’ll never forget.
How did Donna make you smile?