Donald I. Sheteron Sr., 84, of Cassopolis, died Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles after a sudden illness.

He was born Sept. 14, 1925 in Lakeville, Ind. to the late Joseph T. and Minnie M. (Hunsberger) Sheteron and moved to this area in the 1930s from Indiana.

Donald has worked at the former American Coach Co. in Cassopolis, at Juno Industries in Cassopolis and at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart. He retired from the maintenance department at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac. Donald was a life member of the former Backus Lodge 55 F. & A.M. in Cassopolis.

Donald married the former Mabel Richer on April 12, 1947 and she survives. He is also survived by five children, Larry (Betty L.) Sheteron, of Edwardsburg, Tex (Nancy) Sheteron, of Cassopolis, Donald Sheteron Jr., of Vandalia, Alan (Becky) Sheteron, of Buchanan and Sharon (Don) LeVan, of White Pigeon; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elnora Smith, of Three Rivers and Betty Hershberger, of Cassopolis; and five brothers, Omer Sheteron, of Constantine, Clifford Sheteron, of Coopersville, Mich., Paul Sheteron, of Dowagiac, Joseph Sheteron, of Wisconsin and Roy Sheteron, of White Pigeon.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Norton Sheteron; one sister, Evelyn Bowman; and four brothers, Harold Sheteron Lowell Sheteron, Edward Sheteron and Howard Sheteron.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Diamond Cove Missionary Church, 22820 Diamond Cove Rd., Cassopolis. Officiating will be Pastor Charlie Keller.

Cremation will follow the service with burial cremains in the Reames & Norton Cemetery, Cassopolis at a later date. The family will receive friends Thursday one hour before the service in the church.

Memorials may be made to the Joseph Norton Sheteron Scholarship, c/o Michigan Gateway Community Fondation, 111 Days Ave., Buchanan, MI 49107.

Online condolences can be left at connellyfuneral home@verizon.net.

Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis is handling the arrangements.