Donald G. Farber's Obituary
This is a memorial for Donald Gene Farber, born November 23, 1932. Don passed away, unexpectedly at his residence in Muskegon, MI on February 16, 2019.
Don was born in Muskegon County where he resided for the past 86 years. He was born to Francis Floyd Farber and Winnie Vanderwest. He had 6 siblings: Leonard, Janis, Albert, Katherine, Marlene and Lorene. The family resided together in Muskegon, Heights, MI.
Don went to school through the 8th when he dropped out, got a paper route and help support the family. Times were tough then. In his younger days, Don enjoyed motorcycling, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, and hunting.
In 1950 he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for 3 years through the Korean War.
Don is survived by 4 natural children: Randy Farber, Rhonda Farber (Crawford), Robin Farber (DeKorne), Renee Farber, Kim Farber (deceased) and Matthew Farber (deceased), and 4 step children: Richard Baatz, Gene Baatz, Connie Baatz (McPheron) and Linda Baatz. Don has 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and many more who called him grandpa, dad and friend; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don is preceded in death by his late wife of 25 years, Betty Lou (Rock) Farber, his siblings Janice, Katherine, Leonard, Albert and his two sons- Kim and Matthew.
Don was employed as a machinist at Dresser Shaw Box and Crane for almost 20 years.
Don was a wonderful person. He loved to work outside in the yard and in his garden and spent many hours tending both. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed any type of fishing. He would can suckers and call it, "Poor Man's Salmon". You could always find him out in any fishing hole-weather permitting-with whoever would go with him or take him. He didn't buy his bait either; but went nightcrawler hunting and always had a handful of bait.
Don also enjoyed spending anytime he could with his children. He would take them camping, and boating in the summer. I believe we all learned how to swim by him throwing us over the edge of the boat. Yep-we did actually swim! Oh what fun we had in the summers. He spent many summers camping up in Traverse City area, where we would stop along the way, at the cherry orchards and have the children go out and grab as many cherries as you could carry, I don't think we ever went to Traverse City without stopping along the side of the road robbing cherries. Don never hesitated if one of his nieces or nephews or one of our friends wanted to go with us-it was the more the merrier-Oh how he loved us children.
In the winter he would wake his children up, after he got home from work, and we knew it was TIME TO PLAY. We would go out after midnight and play in the snow, him pulling us behind him, on our sleds, while he drove. It was a different time then. We would spend hours on the slopes until our fingers and toes were frozen.
Don loved to play practical jokes on people and could just as easily take a joke as well as give one. After all; we all survived the duct tape, oil-based paint on our faces and the nail polish on our skin. It was just a part of growing up with dad. He even nailed the window shut on one of us, when we decided to sneak out at night. Yep-couldn't get back in. He always taught us to have fun, take a joke, give a joke, but never destroy or hurt another in the process.
He was an exceptional human being. He believed in honesty. He was a Christian man who held onto his faith-even through difficult, trying times. He did not speak ill of people, but always had a way to justify people's bad actions and decisions. He believed in forgiveness and gave it freely-even to those who didn't deserve it.
Don had an open door policy for anyone who needed a place to stay, was down on their luck, needed food or shelter. He didn't discriminate but believed that was what we were put here on this earth for: to help others. There was always room for 1 more; whether it was to cram them into the camper, van or any other vehicle. All was welcome.
Don enjoyed getting together with family and friends to play Euchre, Cribbage, Hand & Foot, Uno, dice, or any other game that we could think of.
Don loved animals too. His kind, gentle spirit was a given sign to his devotion to his pets. His dog Buddy is missing him terribly.
Don had a huge, gentle, wise heart with soothing words. He had the best advice anyone could give and he was always there to lend a helping hand. He could fix or rig anything to get it operating.
He is deeply missed by all. We lost a very special man who touched the lives of hundreds of people. How could we ever forget such a wonderful, beautiful person.
We love you dad.
The Memorial Service will be at First Congregational Church of Fruitport, 3212 E. Pontaluna Rd. in Fruitport, on March 2, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Mike Scott officiating.
Arrangements by Shoreline Memorial Services of Muskegon 231-722-5050
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