By Staff
Donald E. Wilson, 74, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.
Don's life began on Jan. 10, 1935, in Dowagiac, the son of Harley "Jack" and Kathryn (Jacobs) Wilson.
Don served his country proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps during Korea.
Don was united in marriage to the former Donna B. Harkins on Aug. 21, 1961, at the Dailey Church, Cassopolis.
He was employed by the Secretary of States office throughout the area, serving in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Niles, Dowagiac and retiring from the Paw Paw Office as manager.
Don was a member of Dowagiac Moose 933 and Elks Lodge 889, where he played in the golf league. He also enjoyed golfing at Spruce Ridge.
He was a driver for the Cass County Council on Aging and loved his conversation time with his coffee klatsch friends.
Don enjoyed deer hunting and riding his scooter throughout the countryside.
He and Donna owned an ice cream concession wagon that they took to car shows and festivals in the area and loved riding their Gold Wing.
Don enjoyed riding dirt bikes, dune buggies and going fast.
He loved his family very much and taught his grandsons how to play golf.
His loving family includes: his wife of 47 years, Donna Wilson of Dowagiac; daughter, Roxanne Wallace of Beaverton, Wis.; daughter, Debra (Ed) Frizzell of Caledonia; son, Jerry (Eileen) Toney of Cassopolis; grandchildren, Nicholas Headley, Kristin Toney and Matthew Toney; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marjorie (Howard) Goodrich of Albion and Mary Lou Robinson of Dowagiac. His family will gather with friends on Monday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Penn Friends Community Church, where his service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday led by Pastor Bill Bruneau.
He will be laid to rest in Penn Cemetery following the service.
Memorial contributions in Don's name may be directed to Hospice of Southwest Michigan. McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home is serving the family.
Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Don at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.