Donald Pye

Published 10:03 am Thursday, October 10, 2024

April 26, 1932 – October 5, 2024

Donald Pye, 92, of Dowagiac, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 5, 2024, at The Timbers of Cass County.

He was born on April 26, 1932, in Mapleton, Maine, the son of the late Thomas and Eva (Judkins) Pye. Don was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War. On June 7, 1975, Don was united in marriage to the former Reba Sue Kent in Dowagiac.

Don worked for the City of Dowagiac Parks Department for 14 years until his retirement. He enjoyed his retirement by continuing to work park time at Hale’s True Value for 12 years. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, but the Atlanta Braves came close behind. His hobbies included tinkering and repairing lawn mowers, among many other things. He enjoyed spending time with his chihuahuas and also loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Surviving are seven children – Dawn (Rich Spradley) Rugar, Debra (Allen Prigel) McTeague, David (Kim) Pye, Cindy (Bob) Simmons, Cheri (Jim Smith) Pye, Barry Johnson, Donald Jr (Erica)= Pye; fifteen grandchildren – Jessica (Phillip) Gray, Brandon (Lauren) Simmons, Justin (Lauren) Joanis, Mathew (Katie Hendrix) Joanis, Diondra (Ashley) McTeague, Grant Rugar, Alyssa Rugar, Emily Johnson, Taylor Pye, Aaron Pye, Chalee (Dylan) Elmore, Noah Miston, Dave Pye, Hunter Pye and Justice Pye; eighteen great-grandchildren ; sister – Betty Erskine; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 48 years, Reba Pye; two grandsons – Michael Anthony and Alexander McTeague; and four siblings – Thomas Pye, Rowena Whitmyer, Clyde Pye and Ella Grueter.

A service with military honors to celebrate Don’s life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October

19, 2024, at Clark Chapel and Cremation Services – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center Street, where friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will follow a funeral luncheon at 3 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

Please visit Don’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave condolences to his family at www.clarkch.com.