WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Donald W. Orton, age 85, of Leonidas, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at his home.
Don was born Nov. 28, 1926, in Bedford, a son to the late Clifton and Illa (Bird) Orton.
Don served in the Merchant Marines four years.
On Jan. 30, 1948, he married Louise M. Schwencer in Battle Creek.
Don had been employed at Lee Paper Mill in Vicksburg, worked for the St. Joseph County Road Commission and also had farmed.
Don had lived in the Leonidas area the past 59 years, where he was a member of Faith Bible Church.
He is survived by his wife, Louise, a daughter, Nancy (Bud) Rogers and a son, Bill (Lou Ann) Orton, all of Leonidas; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Bowman of Augusta and Shirley Brenner of Orange Park, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Inman; and a brother, Al Orton.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Schipper Funeral Home, 308 S. Blackstone Ave., Colon.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Donald W. Orton will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Faith Bible Church, 15350 E.Y. Ave., Fulton, with Pastor Leonard Brinks officiating. Burial will follow in Leonidas Cemetery.
If desired, the family suggest memorials in memory of Don be made to either the family or Lifespan,Good Samaritan Hospice, 166 E. Goodale Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037.
