Donald Fay Wiltse's Obituary
Donald F. Wiltse, 73, of Big Rapids passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012. He was born November 28, 1938 in Big Rapids, to Orvle (Fay) and Lela(Reed) Wiltse. Don grew up in the Woodville are where he lived most of his life. He married Patricia Albright of White Cloud in 1963 at the Woodville Church. After graduation from Big Rapids High School, Don worked for the Newaygo County Road Commission as a snowplow truck driver, then at Hydaker-Wheatlake as a lineman, Wallace Electric and O & A (now Great Lakes Energy). He farmed continually and had a dairy farm until 1986, when he started his own excavating business, retiring in 2008. Don is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Lora (Richard, Jr.) DeVoe of Big Rapids, son Donald P. (Marlo) Wiltse of Charlotte and grandchildren Richard DeVoe III and Jeanine DeVoe of Big Rapids, Hunter Wiltse and Jaydon Wiltse of Charlotte, sister-in-law Peggy Graham of Reed City and brother-in-law Kenneth(Carol) Albright of White Cloud. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Lee and Dorothy Albright, sisters-in-law Marilyn Scott and Clara Albright, brothers-in-law Gordon Graham, Jerry Albright, James Albright and James' wife Sandra, plus nephew Kenneth (Bill) Albright. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday June 12, 2012 at the Mohnke Funeral Home with Pastor Foster Brummel and Pastor Brett Werner officiating. Don's family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Trauma Foundation (www.braintrauma.org) or the Salvation Army.
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