Donald F. Darke's Obituary
Donald Frederick Darke, of Muskegon, formerly of Kalkaska, Michigan, passed away August 31, 2019. Mr. Darke was born in L'Anse, Michigan on May 23, 1927. Donald graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1945 and entered the Army. On December 18, 1948, he was united in marriage to Nova D. Larabee. Donald retired from Shaw Walker Company after forty years. At that time, Donald and his wife returned to Kalkaska, Michigan, where he was very active in community service and in local government. Mr. Darke was a five-year army veteran that included WWII and the Korean War and was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #446 in Muskegon. Donald is survived by his wife of seventy years Nova and his children Anita J. (Michael) Stewart, Donald R. (Denise) Darke, Debra K. (Jerry) Swarvar, Donna L. (Rod) Syers, Richard W. (Patti) Darke, Virginia "Ginny" A. (Robert) McFarren, and Julie D. (Al) Holm of Muskegon. He also leaves sixteen grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Bethel Larabee. He was the youngest of nine children of Hubert G. and Ruby B. (Riley) Darke. Preceding him in death were his parents, three brothers, William John, Stephen Louis, and William (Bill); five sisters, Myra M. Holcomb, Sylvia P. Sachteleben, Dorothy J. Howell, Lois J. Larabee, and Joyce W. E. Kniss.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Shoreline Memorial Services Chapel, 816 S. Mears Ave. in Whitehall. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be made at Excelsior Township Cemetery in Kalkaska, MI.
Memorial contributions can be made to Ruby Creek Disabled Veterans Hunt Club, 7980 East Washington, Branch, MI. 49403.
Shoreline Memorial Services of Whitehall Ph. 231-893-5300
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