InaJean Domke

InaJean “Mac” Domke, 98, of Fort Gratiot, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024.

She was born August 18, 1926 in Fremont, Michigan to the late Mary Esther and Paul William MacDonald. InaJean’s mother was a school teacher in Newago County and her father was a farmer and rural route mailman in the Fremont area.

As a young girl, InaJean was immersed in chores on the family’s 40-acre farm, piano and violin lessons, as well as hunting and sporting activities. InaJean won many blue ribbons at both the local and state level in archery and sewing at the local 4-H club. In addition to her active high school years in orchestra and marching band, she worked after school at the Oz theater (so named because the first film shown there was the Wizard of Oz) and filled in at church as an usher and pianist. She also worked many shifts at the Gerber Canning Company.

Three weeks after High School graduation, InaJean entered Nurses Training at Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids. This is where she obtained the nickname “Mac”, which is how most knew her from that time on. Upon earning her R.N. degree, she worked as a visiting nurse in Grand Rapids. InaJean was then accepted at the University of Michigan to pursue her BSN degree in Public Nursing. While attending classes there, she met and married Donald Domke. Their next chapter was to move to Wayne, Michigan where Don was hired as a Physical Education and History teacher, as well as the football and baseball coach at Wayne Memorial High School.

InaJean and Don then had two children, MacDonald and Heather. Don became an Atheltic Director at Wayne and later John Glenn High School, and Mac became a school nurse.

After retirement Mac and Don stayed involved in the community for the rest of their lives. Mac will always be remembered as a role model of quiet strength and support in our memories and heart.

She is survived by her two children, MacDonald (Nancy) Domke and Heather Domke Bartlett-McMullen; five grandchildren, Scott Domke, Katie Domke, Erin (Troy) Peyerk, Ashleigh (Gary) Chipman, and Courtland (Shanea) Bartlett; five great-grandchildren, Delaney Chipman, Emery and Lincoln Bartlett, and Dane and Mila Peyerk. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Domke; her parents, Mary and Paul MacDonald; and siblings, Paul Mills MacDonald and Margot Cole.

Both Mac and Don’s remains have been sent to the U of M School of Anatomical Donation Program and will be interred at the Whitmore Lake (MI) Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional care and companionship Mac received under the direction of Daniela at “Home Sweet Home” in Farmington Hills, Michigan and also the great people at Lakeshore Woods in Fort Gratiot, Michigan and Accent Care Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan. Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com