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As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:
UPDATE: Military graveside honors will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton conducted by the Copper Country Veterans Association at 11:45 on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
Donald J. Dodge, 97, of Heritage Manor in Houghton, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022 at U.P. Health System-Portage Hospital.
He was born in Painesdale on June 4, 1925 to the late William and Izora (Polglase) Dodge. He attended Pewabic and Hancock Schools, being drafted out of the 12th grade into the United States Army. He served during World War II for almost 3 years in Italy and the European and African Theaters. Later, with the help of friends Paul Ollila and Monica Healy, he received his high school diploma in 2014.
Don was employed at Bridgeman Russel and Bancroft Dairy in Hancock, and then for twenty years at Michigan Tech in the maintenance department, retiring in 1986.
He was married to Janice Marlor and they had two children, Gordon and Kathy. He was later married to Sharyn Rose of Dollar Bay in 1976 and they had 46 wonderful and loving years together.
Don was a sports fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings all his life. He loved playing baseball, playing into his early seventies. He was especially proud of being selected to play in 8 of 9 all-star games. He was a bowler for many years at the Copper Bowl Lanes in Ripley. He will be remembered for his love of dogs, wonderful singing voice, his excellent memory, and his story telling and jokes.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy, brother Francis (Betty) Dodge, sister Lillian (Frank) Fisher, and nephew, Bobby Dodge.
He is survived by his wife, Sharyn Dodge; son, Gordon Dodge; nephews David (Marie) Dodge and Jerry (Sharon) Dodge; niece Sharon Huard; sister-in-law, Diana (Louie) Clouthier; brother-in-law, Bill (Mary) Rose; his Heritage Manor family; special friends, Paul (Joyce) Ollila; and by many other friends.
Special thanks to Dr. David Kass and his nurse, Paula, for all the wonderful care given to Don over the past 20 years.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Pastor Scott Lindenberg of the First United Methodist Church to officiate. Spring interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton. Friends may call at the funeral home for an hour before the service.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences for his family, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
