Don passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 in Kalamazoo.
He was born February 10, 1959 in Plainwell the son of Donald and Eileen (Smith) Wilson. Don had been a snowmaker at Bittersweet when it first opened and had spent 25 years at Parker Hannifin Brass. He lived on his grandfather’s farm where he enjoyed riding horses. Don also loved riding motorcycles, getting muddy on his quads, camping, spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and line dancing with the Bresa Brats. Don was always up for an adventure and had a great sense of humor. He was a member of the Otsego Moose Lodge, the Goble’s Drift Busters Snowmobile Club, the Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club and had been a volunteer fireman like his dad, brother and son for the Alamo Fire Department. On July 30, 1983 in Allegan he married Denise Rowley who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Lorrie (Brad) Bush of Martin and Jeremy Wilson of Alamo; grandchildren, Blake, Ashley, Ethan and Alison; his parents; siblings, Clayton (Barbara) Wilson and Diana (Douglas) Leffring along with many nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with Don’s family from 6-8 P.M. Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a funeral service will take place Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. with Celebrant, Bill Rose officiating.
Cremation will follow.
Contributions in memory of Don may be made to the
American Cancer Society
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Donald D. Wilson
Condolence Messages
Shawn & Maggie Boeskool
January 14, 2017 at 6:38 pm
so sorry to hear about the loss of Don I worked with him at Parker and knew him from Bresa we were Brats together/ He was always so nice and easy to talk to, love & prayers to Denise and his family during this sad time..
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Linda Hefele (Vliek)
January 14, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Jim & I are so sorry to hear the sad news of Donny’s passing. We have very fond memories of our family weekend camping trips on Little Campbell Lake growing up that we will always cherish.
Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. May Donny rest in peace.
Jim & Linda Hefele (Vliek)
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Ted & Shelley Sulikowski (Dunlap, TN)
January 14, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Our condolences to the Wilson family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are very sorry for your loss.
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Jennie Gee-Storie
January 14, 2017 at 7:51 pm
My heart is full of memories with Don’s smile and gentleness. The crazy fun Halloween parties at his and Denise’s house. I have never met another man that has loved, provided for, and protected his wife and kids more than Don. I will be forever grateful and richer for having met him and his family. Don, I will keep your family in my prayers always.
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Jan a. Jameson
January 14, 2017 at 8:10 pm
The world lost one of it’s best. I am honored to have had Don as a dear friend. I will miss him. Always made me smile,and i will never forget our deep discussions on many items. He had a heart and humor that can’t be matched.
The World,The Otsego Moose Lodge,and his many many friends and family are much better because of him. I can say that with certainty.
I love you Don. Rest in Peace dear friend of mine.
Jan
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Phyllis Gary
January 14, 2017 at 8:35 pm
Wilson family, Wishing you strength and peace. You are in my thoughts, and my prayers.
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Lee and Diane Boysen
January 14, 2017 at 8:36 pm
Dear Clayton, Barb and families, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, brother in law, grandfather, son and uncle. We are praying for your families and friends and sending you support during this most difficult time.
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Kathleen (Snyder)Fisher
January 14, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Clayton, Barb, and other family and friends. So sorry to hear of your loss. Know that you have many friends who are keeping you all in their prayers for comfort and healing.
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Dawn Edwards
January 14, 2017 at 10:12 pm
We are so sorry to read this very sad news. It just doesn’t seem possible that such a fun-loving, kind person has left this earth far too soon. Keeping you, Denise, and all of Don’s family, his many friends and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Dawn and Morry Edwards
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Dan and Julie Andrus
January 14, 2017 at 10:22 pm
Denise, Lorrie and Jeremy, we are so sorry for your loss. Don was truly a gentle sole and always spoke kindly of his family. He will be missed by all. In our prayers.
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Tammy Thompson-Drake
January 14, 2017 at 10:49 pm
So very sorry, Denise, You and Your Children and Don’s Family are all in our prayers. God Bless You All.
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Marcella Eidson
January 14, 2017 at 11:13 pm
Denise, I am so sorry to hear about the love of your life. My thoughts are with you.
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Nancy Green
January 14, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Denise and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray Gods grace will bring you some comfort
Nancy
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Laurie Stoneburner
January 14, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Sorry for your loss. Always a great guy. Wore his smile always. Praying for comfort and peace for your family.
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Greg Morris
January 14, 2017 at 11:58 pm
Very sorry for your loss Denise, yours & Don’s family we’ll be in our prayers. Don was a great guy, though I’ve not seen him only a few times since our school days when I have he was always great & funny guy. He will be greatly missed.
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Rob Bryan
January 15, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Denise and family, it just won’t be the same walking into our department before work and seeing that empty chair, you could always count on Don sitting there sipping on a cup of coffee before work started. More often than not we would have a little bull session before we got started, which was usually each of us talking about our families. He loved you guys so much! Don was teaching me how to grind tools and there are so many questions I still have. He will be sorely missed as a co-worker and friend! My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
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Lynda and Jon Lankamp
January 15, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Denise and family, we are very sorry to of your loss. Don, was an awesome person, wonderful husband, and a good friend. Had many great times and adventures with you guys. We will always remimber him. Many thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
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Mike and Kristi Corradini
January 15, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Denise, Jeremy, and family
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Words cannot express the sadness we are all feeling. Don was a great guy and will be missed by many. Hold your memories close. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers
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Leslie Langeance
January 15, 2017 at 1:16 pm
So sorry for your loss Denise.
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Greg and Janet vansparrentak
January 15, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Such a great loss, we have so many great memories that he will always be close in our hearts, May God comfort you and your family at this difficult time, love you all
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Terri (Goodacre) Gott
January 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm
Denise, so very, very sorry about Don. I didn’t know he was sick. Having been there myself, I understand what you are going through. May he RIP.
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Tom and Sarah Hildebrand
January 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Denise and family,
We were very sorry to hear of your loss. Don was always the most gentle and caring man with a never ending smile. Tom and I have many great memories with the Wilson family camping and team penning with the horses. Don will be missed, cherish your memories and know that many prayers are with you all.
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Don & Sherri Ferguson
January 16, 2017 at 6:48 am
Keeping you in our thoughts & prayers.
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Jo Bill
January 16, 2017 at 9:29 am
I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing. My heart goes out to you all with hugs and prayers that you will find comfort and strength.
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Ramon Jon Zantello
January 16, 2017 at 9:57 am
Don was a great person and brought so much to the family. My prayers are with you all. He will be sorely missed.
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Beth Evink Ronfeldt
January 16, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Very sorry to hear of the loss of my classmate. Condolences to all of Don’s friends and family.
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Mark and Darla Pilbeam
January 16, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Denise we are so sorry for your loss, Don was a great guy. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him, Our thought and prayers are with you.
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Linda Hughes
January 17, 2017 at 9:57 am
So sad to hear of Don’s passing.
We met him thru a group of Plainwell friends and knew him to be a nice friendly guy.
Our prayers are with Denise and the Wilson family
Mike and Linda Hughes
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Susan Gilmore
January 17, 2017 at 10:10 am
Just hearing this sad news today and am so sorry. I pray that many memories of happy times comfort you through this difficult time.
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Bonnie Mott Ketchum
January 17, 2017 at 11:11 am
Denise , I was so sorry to hear Don has passed. We started in the tool room together: his good nature and sense of humor made that 8 hours easier. Hold your memories close, their warmth will help to ease your grief.
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Kevin Brown
January 20, 2017 at 1:11 am
Don was a guy with a great sense of humor who made everyone around him happier in his presence.
I first met him in fifth grade, and felt guilty for years over our playground accident that resulted in him breaking his teeth on ice. He always made a joke about it to make me feel better, because that’s just how he was.
Don and I had a blast sailing up north on Elk Lake, and was almost hooked on something fun without an engine or a need to shovel up after.
God puts nice people in this world to make it a better place. Don certainly holds a very strong and positive portion of my life memories.
May his family take some small comfort in knowing that many will always remember Don with a smile on his face, and his lightheated remarks to make us smile too.
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Rebecca Hayes
January 23, 2017 at 12:40 pm
Denise and family, I am so very sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He was a very kind hearted man!! I am so glad to have had the opportunity to have him as a coworker and friend. He will be missed by many!! It will be very hard to walk in to work knowing that he is not with us anymore!! I am proud to have had the opportunity to have worked with him and had him for a dear friend. Rest in Peace my dear friend!! You have left a very special place in my heart!! God Bless you, and your family and friends!!
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Debra Sheridan Sweet
January 28, 2017 at 9:54 am
I’m am so sorry about Don I just found out about it and it’s to late to say good buy he will be sadly missed I’m so sorry Denise for your loss my heart is with you we you to have a lot of fun team penning and camping and working with you guys giving you riding lessons I will miss Don I’m so sorry
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Don & Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
January 31, 2017 at 11:42 am
Don, Eileen, Clayton, Diana & Families: So sorry to learn of your loss. Such a young age, although it sounds like he enjoyed life! May your memories help you through this difficult time.
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Mark and Marilyn Abernathy
February 1, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Denise,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
It’s been many years since we’ve seen either you or Don, but I have fond memories of working with Don at the old Parker Brass plant.
We wish you well as you go through this terrible time.
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