Donald J. Stevenson, age 70, of 6544 Perkins 30.5 Road, Perkins, MI died Sunday morning September 19, 2004 at home following a brief illness.
Don was born December 7, 1933 in Milwaukee the son of Arthur and Margaret (Koltz) Stevenson and relocated to Perkins with his family at the age of 12. He was a 1952 graduate of Perkins High School. Following graduation, Don was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 where he was stationed in Germany. Within two years he rose to the rank of Staff Sargent and he was commended for being an expert rifleman and received a medal of accommodation for his good conduct. Following his service to the Army, Don returned to the Perkins area and in 1959 he married the former Margaret Tardiff at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. The couple made their residence in Perkins where they raised their six children. Prior to his stroke in 1974, Don operated the Stevenson Service Station, worked in the plumbing and heating business, drove school bus for the Perkins Schools and assisted at Bay de Noc Community College for the vocational educational program in welding. Don proudly served the Baldwin Township area for 44 years. He served in organizations which would include: The Perkins Lion
Anonymous
Uncle Donnie was an awesome person to be around. He always knew how to make you laugh. When we had family gatherings, you always knew where Uncle was, where there was laughter you knew he was close by. He will be deeply missed by the Westlund family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Stevenson family.
Kristie Westlund
Rock, MI
I did not know Don personally, but I worked with Margaret for four years and I knew that she was very devoted to him. I had her grandson as a student. Andy wrote a tribute poem to his grandfather on Grandparents’ Day that made his grandpa proud. Through Margaret and Andy I know that Don was a man who loved his family very much. My condolences to the family.
Judy Ebbesen
Gladstone, MI
Donny will be missed by many of us as the bus driver who we always wanted to drive and the person who could fix our tires etc.. when we got old enough to drive… He always had a smile and a kind word.
Debbie (Seger) LeBlanc
Brimley, MI
Our thoughts & prayers are with you and all your family Becky. I wish our paths had crossed sooner in MN so we would have been fortunate enough to meet your dad. The stories you have shared, he sounded like a wonderful person. Our deepest sympathy to you and the family.
Dave, Kathy, Erika & MacKenzie Kooda
Grand Rapids, MN
I did not know Donny personally, but I felt as if I did. Having worked with Margaret for many years you got to know him through the stories she would share about him. Her eyes would twinkle when she would relate something amusing. Margaret was and is very much in love with, and very proud of Donny. He will be missed greatly by his family and community, but his memory will live on forever.
Anna Savage
Escanaba, MI
This is to Grandpa Don for being such a loving, wonderful person. From the time I first met him, he accepted me with open arms and open heart. He always had a smile to share. I loved to bring my children to visit and watch his whole face light up when he saw them. He enjoyed horsing around with the kids, and they loved it when he did. It is a treat to hear about the stories of Don’s younger days – I wish I would have known him then. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. It is the same one I see in my husband’s eyes, the same one I see in my son’s eyes. Don had a heart of gold. We will take solace that he will live on his children and grandchildren, and in all of our hearts and in all of our laughter.
Laura Stevenson
Appleton, WI
Margaret and family. Don was a person who always made me smile and feel good about having known him. Iwas lucky to be able to call Don a friend for many years. Our community lost a great friend and my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Bob Van Damme
Perkins, MI
I was saddened to learn of Donny’s death. When you come from a small town, there are people that everybody knows, even in the town nine miles down the way. He is one of those people that I feel like I’ve always known. My regards to Margaret and family. He will be missed
Mark Wilcox
Houghton, MI
Patty, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. It is so difficult to loose a parent, my heart goes out to you and your family. You all are in my prayers. Tuck all the memories inside and hold them close to your heart for the memories will keep your Father with you always. Take Care.
Mary Babler
Appleton, WI
Our thoughts are with your family. Wish we could be there to tell you in person. Take care,
Sherry and Jerry Clarke, Patty’s friends.
Sherry Clarke
Menasha, WI
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. God bless you all.
Tabi Hutchinson
Rockford, IL
Dear Aunt Margaret & Family, Work commitments kept me from being with you and your family yesterday during your sad day. I truly wanted to pay my respects. However I still would like to share my memories about Uncle Don…I remember him as being a kind, gental man, with lots of black hair, who was always smiling…I remember him working at the gas station…Again I’m sorry for your loss, and know that he will be missed by many people.
Patrick & Michelle Grenier
Rapid River, MI
When I was growing up, Don and Margaret always made me feel welcome in their home. And Don was such a laid-back, nice guy that he’d let us grade-schoolers comb his hair while he was driving the school bus. I’m sorry to hear he’s not with us anymore. My condolences to Debbie and the rest of the family.
Mary VanDamme Donley
San Diego, CA