Obituary of Donald Charles Petticrew

Donald Charles Petticrew was called to be with our Lord on Saturday, September 21, 2024, after a brief illness.

Dad / Grandpa / Papa, or Mr. P, was fanatical about his family and a huge supporter of absolutely any activity they participated in. He would be sportin’ the colors and logos of any team his brood was playing for

and he felt obligated to provide his coaching insights…which were spot on in sports and more importantly, in life!

Never one to shy away from any task, his mantra of “we can do this” led to many “adventures” in numerous home/rental property repairs and farm-related projects. “Hold this light” or “hand me that” was a phrase no one wanted to hear directed to them! He was a steadfast believer in working hard, and by doing so, you earned the right to “play” hard. The lake house Labor Day Weekend Family Reunions will be missing the patriarch, but they will proudly continue as we belt out another verse of “We are family!”   

It is said that the essence of living is giving, and Dad made sure that after the passing of his beloved bride Karen of 57 years, the service to family and others continued through numerous philanthropic avenues. He was a dedicated, proud Catholic man and was not afraid to tell anyone about it, or his views on politics, the economy, or just about any other topic! 

He retired from General Motors after more than 30 years of service in various roles of leadership in the accounting field and his love of the Wolverines was only second to that of his love of the Adrian College Bulldogs, where numerous family members played and graduated from. Always having to do “something of value,” he became “Ranger Don” at Waldenwoods, a certified real estate appraiser, a gun-toting security guard, an avid cyclist, roller-skater, and pickle-baller, amongst numerous other activities.

His legacy of service, faith, and love of life & family will be carried on by his three children:  Jon (Kathy) of Thornville, OH, Tammy Meisel (Tom) of Howell, MI, and Scott (Lisa Schleich) of Dundee, MI, his six grandchildren, nine great grandkids, sister Nancy, sister in-law Marianne, sister in-law Pat, and a huge bunch of nieces, nephews, and friends.   He was preceded in death by his wife Karen, parents, brother Richard, and grandson Brad.

The Petticrew clan would like to thank all of those who assisted Dad in his many escapades, especially the East End Gang, Howard and Robin Perkins, Nick Lipko, Mike and JoAnn Columbo & the Round Lake family, Dr. Lauren Parvin, and the team at St. Joseph/Trinity Health team in Howell, MI. Nurses rock the world!

Friends may call at Merkle Funeral Home in Dundee, MI from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25^th. He will lay in state from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with mass to follow at St. Irene Catholic Church in Dundee, MI on Thursday, September 26^th at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served after the mass in the church hall. Please join us!

Dad’s final resting place will be alongside is beloved wife Karen and his parents in Springfield, OH.  It will be easy to spot with the Go Dawgs! and Go Blue! banners proudly waving in the breeze!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Heart Association in his honor.