Donald R. "Don" Egeler's Obituary
Mr. Donald R. (Don) Egeler, age 80, died Wednesday, January 26, 2011 after a prolonged illness. He was born in Leland, MI on July 4, 1930 to Leonard and Agnes (Korson) Egeler. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s High School and was a past-president of the Alumni board. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and graduated with a B.S. in Social Work from Western Michigan University. He married Clara Colligan, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 28, 2010. She survives him along with their children, Joseph (Sara) Egeler of Whitehall, Sandra (Bill) DeJonge, and Thomas of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Jaclyn DeJonge (fiancé Andy Varney), Wendi DeJonge (friend Myles Sylva), Timothy Egeler, Bradley Egeler; sisters, Betty Dault, Barbara (Darryl) Rose, and brother Robert Egeler, all of Muskegon; brother, Al (Janette) of Brooksville, FL; sister-in-law, Barbara McPhaul of Austin, TX; brother-in-law, Charles (Marion) Colligan of Muskegon, Frederick (Susan) Colligan of Grand Rapids, Ronald (Joyce) Colligan of Parrish, FL, Raymond (Karla) Colligan of Norton, KS; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and good friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and family members, Beverly and Don Haney, Dick and Harriet Egeler, Fredrick and Pennie Egeler, Leonard Egeler, Jr., Robert Dault, Glenn McPhaul, Betty Colligan, his mother and father-in-law, Owen and Mabel Colligan. Don was the Volunteer Coordinator for Muskegon County during his employment with the Department of Social Services, which led him to a lifetime of serving others after his retirement, and being an advocate of ecumenism, having worked with many religiously diverse boards and pastors. He served with the following organizations: Cursillo, DeColores, Muskegon Host Lions Club, C.A.S.T., Mercy Hospital, Goodfellows, Tanglewood, Crop Walk, Day of Caring, State Employee Retirement Association, Muskegon Jaycees, Pax Christi, Big Brothers, and was on the board of the Muskegon County Council of Churches. Don was on the organizational committee which founded Love, Inc. (In the Name of Christ) in Muskegon. He was a member of St. Mary’s parish, and was a longtime chairman of the Social Ministries Committee. Don also worked for Vollmer Realtors, and McAuley Place-A Mercy Living Center. Don’s favorite past times included traveling, dancing, playing bridge and poker, and teaching paper quilling. He will be especially missed by his grandchildren. THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be celebrated at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 29, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Philip J. Salmonowicz presiding. Entombment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum. VISITATION at The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. (231) 798-1100 will be from 5-9 PM Friday evening, and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. You may sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.sytsemafh.com Contributions in memory of Don may be made to the charity of your choice, Love, Inc, or Feed America (for the Loaves and Fishes Pantry #07292)
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