March 6, 1932 — March 30, 2016

Donald Edward Clubine, 84, of Niles, Michigan died Wednesday evening, March 30, 2016 at his home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on March 6, 1932 in Niles to Earl H. and Elma Z. (Jackson) Clubine. He was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles all of his life. He was a corporate pilot for the former Niles offices of the Kawneer Corporation, and for Weldun International, Ltd. in Bridgman, Michigan. He was always quick to fulfill the requirements to advance his pilot rating in increasingly sophisticated aircraft, moving up through multi-engine, pressurized cabin, and the Citation small business jet, to his commercial license.

Don attended the First Church of Christ – Christian in Niles. He served in the United States Army, and was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a great fan of college basketball. When his children were young, he volunteered in the youth baseball program at Thomas Stadium, assisted with the Boy Scouts, and was a Niles High School Band supporting parent.

On July 24, 1954 in Niles he married the former Patricia P. Skopec with whom he celebrated the forty-third anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on March 2, 1998. Don was also preceded in death by a son, Chris A. Clubine on Aug. 29, 2013; a brother, Ernie R. Clubine on Aug. 15, 1999, and Ernie’s wife, Mary Clubine on Sept. 15, 2008.

Surviving family includes three sons, James E. (Marie) Clubine of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Russell E. (Joann) Clubine of Boyne City, Michigan, and Andrew D. Clubine of Niles; a daughter, Jane E. Clubine of Indianapolis, Indiana; a daughter-in-law, Janet M. Clubine of Niles; grandchildren, Michelle (Steve) Smith, Amanda (Steve) Maounis, Stephen, Evan, Ryan, and Nathan Clubine, and Melissa (Timothy) Lilley; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Jokub Finnegan, and Lucas and Nathan Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Don Clubine will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Jim Matthews of the First Church of Christ — Christian officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Don Clubine may be made to the Veterans Memorial Committee of Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com