Donna Stiffler Bollinger Esslinger  class of 1965

Writer, Historian, Lecturer...Loving wife and mother...wonderful friend.  Donna passed away peacefully in her retirement community in Leesburg, Florida on November 20, 2023.

Reported by her daughter, Lori Bollinger to Donna's dear friend, Cassie (Rod) Ellis

 

 

Donna Stiffler (Bollinger, Esslinger)     Class of 1965

 

She joined the class her Sophomore Year in 1962.

1963 Yearbook

 

 

1964 Yearbook

 

 

 

An early recognition of what is important in life…books and education.

 

Donna earned her MA in History at Michigan State University in 1970.

 

Starting 1970, Donna was the Editor of Michigan History Journal for the History Division of the Michigan Department of Secretary of State.

 

Donna was the School Board President of Alden Public Schools.

 

Author, Copy Writer, Editor of Talponia Press

 

Donna outside the “Blue Mill” in Alden, Mi. 1980.  Their home was built out of a remodeled grist mill by Donna’s husband, Harry Bollinger.  Harry and Donna operated Talponia Press at the Blue Mill until his sad, early death in 1990.  Harry restored an early 1900’s printing press, set the lead type and printed Donna’s books and brochures for the Traverse City area.  My favorite brochure showed an overview of the Traverse Bay Area that Donna “the wordsmith” described as a “Panoplies of Splendor”.

Later, she was the Promotion Director of the Arnold Palmer golf course in Alden.

 

After Harry’s death, Donna married retired doctor from Traverse City, John Esslinger.  Together, they operated a rare bookstore in the Blue Mill.  They closed the business in 2007 and moved south to Magnolia Springs, Alabama.  Magnolia Springs is a “writers town” and home to Fannie Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes) and Winston Groom (Forest Gump).  There, Donna taught writing, elected to city council, the church administrator and played the organ!

 

Rod and Cassie Ellis are pictured with Donna at the bookstore closing in 2007.  Donna and Cassie were Historians together at the Michigan Historical Commission 1970 to 1973.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After John Esslinger’s death, Donna moved to Leesburg, Florida to be closer to her sister, Patty, an OHS grad 1967. 

 

 

 

Donna Esslinger, retired in Florida.  Rod and Cassie Ellis visited her in April 2019.  Standing next to a display of “Her Hero” Abraham Lincoln, Donna is settling into her new home near her daughter Lori.

 

 

 

 

 

Writer, Historian, Lecturer...Loving wife and mother...wonderful friend.  Donna passed away peacefully in her retirement community in Leesburg, Florida on November 20, 2023.

Reported by her daughter, Lori Bollinger to Donna's dear friend, Cassie (Rod) Ellis