Donald Wayne Hakola

Donald Wayne Hakola, age 69, of Rudyard, Michigan, died unexpectedly October 15, 2014. He was born November 20, 1944 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Donnie was a lifelong resident of Rudyard. He graduated from Rudyard High School in 1963. In high school, he had been active in the FFA and was a member of State Championship Parliamentary Procedure team. After high school, Donnie worked at Buick in Flint and for Champion Construction before starting to work for United Parcel Service as a package car driver. Donnie started at UPS in 1967 and retired 31 years later in 1998. Donnie married Diane Sue Pemble on July 31, 1965 at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace, Michigan. Every moment Donnie spent at “Camp Sleepy Ridge” both by himself and with family and friends was very special to him. He enjoyed building and maintaining the camp, hunting birds and deer, fishing, and just relaxing in the great outdoors. When not working or at camp, Donnie loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He played horseshoes with the EUP Horseshoe Pitching League. Donnie also enjoyed woodworking. He created and built beautiful and intricate log cabin birdhouses complete with cedar shake shingles. Donnie never used a pattern so every birdhouse was one of a kind. Donnie is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Tony (Robin) Hakola of Cedarville, Michigan, and Tate (Juanette) Hakola of Rudyard; daughter, Terri Franklin of Traverse City, Michigan; six grandchildren, Jordan Franklin, Casey (Wes) Molner, Korissa Hakola, Cara Hakola, Presley Hakola, and Cameron Shaw; and three great grandchildren, Jamisen and Jasper Kabbas, and Bryson Molner. Donnie is also survived by his mother and step-father, Ruth and Charles Touple of Sault Ste. Marie; sisters, Sharon (Joe) Phillips of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Bonni (Glenn) Ketchum of Kaleva, Michigan; special cousin, Ernie Aho of Rudyard, who was like a brother to Donnie; dear aunt, Millie Aho of Rudyard; numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins; brother-in-law, Blair J. Pemble Jr. of St. Ignace; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Gabres, Glenda Pemble, and Barbara Pemble, all of Denver, Colorado. Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Wayne “Henry” Hakola in 1977; in-laws, Blair and Rita Pemble, both in 1989; brothers-in-law, David and Bruce Pemble; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Ryerse. Services will be held Saturday, October 18 at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. A memorial gathering visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. with his memorial service following at 4:00 P.M.

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Donald Wayne Hakola

November 20, 1944 - October 15, 2014