Dawn Leigh Ayres, 76, of Waterford, Michigan, passed comfortably on December 18, 2020 at McLaren Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan after a series of ailments.

She was born September 21, 1944, in Alma, Michigan, a daughter of the late Harold and Dorothy (Anderson) Derosia.  Growing up in Alma she completed elementary school at Wright Avenue Elementary and graduated from Alma High School in 1962.  She continued her education at Central Michigan University.

On July 31, 1981, she married James M. Ayres.  They made their home in Midland, Michigan and then Strongsville, Ohio.  For the past 33 years they have lived in Waterford, Michigan and spent their summers at Tri-Lakes, Columbia City.

In addition to being a homemaker, she worked for Bechtel Engineering as an electrical technician in the early 1980s then started her own business, Dawn's Country Crafts which she owned and operated until 1992.

A talented and accomplished crafter, she enjoyed collecting, crocheting, knitting, quilting and painting wood crafts.  Her talent carried through to the kitchen where she made delicious gourmet meals.  When she had grandchildren, they became her pride and joy.  She enjoyed watching auto racing and traveled to tracks virtually all over the country

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, James; three sons, Marc (Jennifer) Herriman of Aurora, CO, Gregory (Lisa) Herriman of Frostproof, FL and Scott (Chelsea) Herriman of Portage, MI; three step-daughters, Leane (Kevin) Tingstad of Troutdale, OR, Elaine (Rey) Sia of Pittsford, NY and Julie (Michael) Troman of Pittsford, NY; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Diane (Russell) Sitts of Breckenridge, MI and two brothers, Donald (Nancy) Derosia of St Johns, MI and Daniel (Mary) Derosia of St, Louis MI.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. until Noon Saturday, January 16 at the St. Matthews UMC, 1460 E 500 N, Columbia City.  The funeral service at 1 p.m. at the church will be by invitation only due to COVID restrictions.  Burial will be at the Round Lake Cemetery, 5700N 350 E, Columbia City, following the church service.

Memorials in Dawn's honor are to the American Cancer Society or the First Congregational Church, Breckenridge, MI.

This service will be covered by zoom starting at 12:45pm - see the following links

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2045040214?pwd=T25ZRVBTL1NsaTdocG1teC9FdWtYUT09

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2045040214?pwd=T25ZRVBTL1NsaTdocG1teC9FdWtYUT09 >

Meeting ID: 204 504 0214

Passcode: Dawn

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com