Don C. Lavelle, age 83, of 1106 South 20th Street in Escanaba, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at U.P. Health System - Marquette. He was born on August 5, 1933 in Michigamme, MI, the son of Reginald “Ted” and Evelyn Louise (Hooper) Lavelle. The family moved to Escanaba when Don was one-year old. He grew up in Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1953. Don volunteered for the draft in 1954, went to the Army basic training at Fort Leonard, MO, and then onto Fort Meade, MD for secondary training in radio/radar repair. His rank was Specialist 3rd Class. Later, he became a draftsman for 2nd Army Signal Corp. Don was honorably discharged in March of 1956. He attended Cloverland Commercial College and Milwaukee School of Engineering. Don worked at a variety of jobs, including sailing one summer on the Alex D. Chisam oar boat in 1951. He opened Don’s Muffler Shop in 1956 and combined it with being manager of Philip’s Gas for several years. He married the former Lois Cooper on September 6, 1958 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Together, they were married for 58 years and raised three daughters. Don worked for P&H, Gross Auto, and retired from being the Director of Maintenance/House Keepers of Delta County. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba – serving on many committees, choir, pasty crew, maintenance, and radio ministry. Don was a Kiwanis member for many years, charter member of Escanaba Amvets Post #123, member of the EAA, and belonged to the Civil Air Patrol. Don enjoyed his family and grandchildren, attending orchestra/band concerts, and many sporting events. He enjoyed working on house projects in his home and the house rentals. Don belonged to a bowling/card club for over 40 years of fun with his buddies – “Monday Night Munchers.” He was proud to have served in the U.S. Army and was humbled to have been able to go on the Honor Flight.

Don C. Lavelle is survived by wife, Lois of Escanaba; 3 daughters, Donna (Tom) Ovokaitys of Cedar Springs, MI, Christine (Ed) Oswald of Hyde, and Emily (Joe) Viau of Bark River; 11 grandchildren, Breeann (Chase) Gibson, Kayla (Austin) Hunt, Ellie Ovokaitys, Jared Ovokaitys, Brian (Michelle) Oswald, Elise Oswald, Taylor Oswald, Nicholas Dwyer, Samuel Dwyer, Eric Viau, and Katie Viau; 2 great-grandchildren, Annelise, and Lucas; sister, Elaine (Gerald “Bill”) Hanrath of Baileys Harbor, WI and Fairhope, AL; brother-in-law, LeRoy (Carol) Cooper of Escanaba; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by granddaughter, Kalli Dwyer; and brother-in-law, Frank Hanrath.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m., Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military Honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Delta County Veterans Council. Funeral services celebrating the life of Don will follow at 4:00 p.m., Monday, at Central United Methodist Church in Escanaba with Rev. Elise Low Edwardson officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in Gardens of Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Central United Methodist Church Radio and Sound Fund. 

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