Donald Schwind

Schwind, Donald - Beaverton, Michigan.  Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and dearest friend passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Medilodge of Midland at the age of 88 years.

Don was born on January 18, 1934 in Merrill, Michigan, to the late Leo and Cornelia (Camp) Schwind.  He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1952.  Don then attended General Motors Institute (GMI), graduating in 1954 with a degree in Dealership Management.  Don then returned to work at the family busines, Schwind & Kalahar Pontiac Dealership in Merrill, MI.  He and his dear friend, Bernie Kalahar, eventually became partners in the dealership and received the ’50 years of Service’ award from the Pontiac Division.  They worked together until closing the dealership in 1998.

On June 26, 1954 he married Margaret Fox, his beloved wife of 68 years.  They resided in Merrill, MI, where they raised their 4 children until retiring to Wixom Lake in 1997.

Don was very active in the Merrill community throughout his life.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Jaycee’s and served for many years as a volunteer fireman for the Merrill Fire Department.  Don loved his Thursday night bowling league, with whom he shared a State Tournament Championship title.  Don and Maggie belonged to the Tri-County Snow Goers Snowmobile club, making many friends and memories will riding their sleds.

Don loved everything about Wixom Lake; boating, pulling his kids and grandkids skiing and tubing, fishing and watching the boat traffic go by the house.  He loved to watch the birds and squirrels that visited the yard, and the animals were very intrigued by all the contraptions he concocted for them.  Don was the master fixer of all things – you name it, he wouldn’t stop until he fixed it.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret,  their four children, Karen Vallier of Beaverton, James Schwind of Midland, Robert (Michele) Schwind of Midland and Ann (John) Tomlinson of Fort Gratiot; nine grandchildren, Christine (Kurt) Engelhardt, Adam (Kimber) Vallier, Cassandra Schwind, Jacob Schwind, Brittany Haner, Zack (Amy) Hodges, David Hodges, Devin (English) Tomlinson and Jordan (Andrew) Barlass; eleven great grandchildren, Bayly (Luke) Gehring, Audrey Engelhardt, Valerie Engelhardt, Braylon Bowles, Colton Vallier, Makenna Congleton, Mavric Prell, Hunter Braxton, Gianna Hodges, Alyiana Martinez and Destiny Hodges;  brother, Paul (Jean) Schwind, sister in-law, Maxine Goschke; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was predeceased in death by his parents, his sister, Sr. Mona Schwind and nephew Mathew Schwind along with many extended family members and friends.

We would like to express a very special thank you to the staff at Medilodge of Midland and Promedica Hospice for the exceptional care they provided over the past few month and for helping to make Don’s transition to heaven both peaceful and dignified.  We will forever be grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed our entire family.

A funeral liturgy will take place for Don at 11:00 am on Friday, September 9, 2022 at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Edenville, MI.  Friends may visit with family at the church starting at 10am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial donation to Our Lady of Grace Parish or Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home. www.hall-kokotovichfuneralhome.com