Donald Swanson Milton's Obituary
Donald Swanson Milton, of Spring Lake, MI (formerly Nunica, MI), died February 5, 2026, at the age of 89. Don was born on October 2, 1936, in Saint Paul, MN to Rev. John P. and Euphamia E. Milton. He graduated from Murray High School, where he played hockey and baseball. Don went on to graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College, where he majored in American studies, philosophy, and Greek. He continued to play hockey and was named All State. On August 13, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Louise Myers, in Minneapolis, MN. Don finished out his education at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy. He remained an avid reader and collector of books his whole life. In 1965 Don and Sue moved to Kalamazoo, MI, where Don taught at Western Michigan University, participated in the civic theater, and took up golf, a sport he enjoyed for many years. In 1974 they moved to a farm in Nunica, MI, where they raised two children along with a host of farm animals. Don shifted gears and became a furniture maker, first with The Shaker Shop in Spring Lake, MI and then with Baker Furniture, where he worked his way up from Trim Room Supervisor, to Plant Manager (Holland, MI), and finally to Vice President of Manufacturing. His employment with Baker gave him numerous opportunities for travel to the Far East, which he enjoyed immensely. Don retired in 2000 from Baker and set up his own woodshop to continue making furniture. Don and Sue also enjoyed retirement years, caring for the many ever-changing gardens on their property and traveling to the Oregon coast.
Don is survived by his two children, Stephanie (Jim) Scrivens of Ann Arbor, MI and Timothy (Cindy) Milton of Muskegon, MI, and grandchildren, Alexis Jackel, Nathan (Sierra) Scrivens, and Rebekah Scrivens. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sue, and his four siblings.
In lieu of a funeral service, the family would enjoy visiting individually with friends and extended family in the near future. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at https://www.sytsemafh.com.
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