Hersee Family Fund

Idonea “Dony” and William E. Hersee, M.D. were married in 1934. They spent most of their adult lives in Mt. Pleasant, where they have had a strong presence and made many important contributions to our community.

Dr. Hersee began a general medical practice in Mt. Pleasant in 1935. He was a major voice in helping to raise money in a challenge from the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation which helped communities establish hospitals. Central Michigan Community Hospital was built in 1943 and Dr. Hersee was a charter member of its medical staff. Dr. Hersee was an active staff member from 1943 – 1967 in the areas of General Practice and later, Opthalmology. He served as Chief of Staff in 1949. 

Dony was a loving, supportive wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Her door was always open and her welcome warm. Dony was an enthusiastic supporter of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, and an honorary member of the Mt. Pleasant Federated Garden Club. She was an avid reader and supporter of the Veterans Memorial Library, as well as the American Red Cross, and the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. 

In 2002, Dony established the Hersee Family Fund to benefit the community the Hersees considered their home. Over the years, this community impact fund has made grants for dental care for senior citizens, prescription medication for those visiting the Free Clinic, diapers for low-income families, and transportation for Isabella County homeless men and women, just to name a few.