Community mourns death of retired 35th District Court Chief Judge
Judge MacDonald retired from the bench in 2009 and continued to serve as a substitute judge until the age of 82. A resident of Holland, Judge MacDonald was born Dec 18, 1934, in Flint, the son of Raymond and Frances (Finch) MacDonald. He met the love of his life, Ann Woodruff, on Mackinac Island, where they both worked during their summer breaks from college. The couple married in June of 1958 and shared 59 years of devotion until her death in October of 2017.
Judge MacDonald lived in Detroit and Livonia before establishing his home in Northville in 1969, where he devoted many years to the community. He was a devoted member of Ward Presbyterian Church, where he served as both elder and deacon. John’s strong faith was central to his life, and his commitment to helping others was a reflection of his deep devotion to God, his family said. He moved to Holland in 2018.
Class president of his 1952 class at Mackenzie High School, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan before attending Wayne State University Law School, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree. At U of M, he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He has been a member of the Michigan State Bar since 1961.
Judge MacDonald began his legal career with Tinkham & Snyder Law Firm in Wayne, where he devoted countless hours to building his practice and earning the respect of his peers. In 1985, he was elected Honorable Judge John E. MacDonald of the 35th District Court.
While Judge MacDonald’s family was always his priority, he dedicated his life to serving others and his community, giving generously of his time and talents, his family members recalled. He was a member and past president of the Wayne Kiwanis Club, as well as a past member of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce. His civic involvement included service as a Northville Township Trustee and supervisor. Within his profession, he served as president of the Livonia Bar Association and
Among his survivors are his children, Thomas (Karen) MacDonald, David (Lori) MacDonald, and Susan (Michael) Magante; his brother, James (Jan) MacDonald; his sister, Julia (the late John) Roberts; his grandchildren, Anne (Danny) O’Connor, John (Maddy Lyons) MacDonald II, Sharon (Michael) Marchbanks, Michael MacDonald, Thomas MacDonald, and David Magante, and his great grandchildren, Everett, Louise, Blair, and Morgan. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 13, preceding the 11 a.m. funeral service at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. Interment is planned at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Hess Scholarship Fund at Ward Presbyterian Church or the Salvation Army.
