Obituary: Donnie Case, Sr., 70, Ludington.

Donnie Case, Sr.

Obituary: Donnie Case, Sr., 70, Ludington.

Donnie Case, Sr., 70, of Ludington passed away Thursday, November 15, 2018. Donnie’s large family lost another dear brother to cancer. He fought long and strong until he walked on to be with his Creator. His grieving family was there surrounding him as he passed.

Don was born in Fremont to George and Susie (Walker) Case on April 30, 1948. The sixth oldest of 12 children and one of seven sons.

He attended various schools in Michigan, and in the ‘60s he settled in Ludington. There he met his life love, Helen Noonan, and they married on December 8, 1973. This union of 45 years produced two sons, whom he adored, Donnie Jr. and Scott.

Donnie’s working years consisted of many years at Quality Pallet Company, Pumped Storage and the Ludington Senior Center where he worked as their handyman. He also worked for the seismograph Company.

He spent the last several years doing what he loved most; working outside fixing, repairing, raking, mowing, and shoveling for seniors in need.  He never charged a price for his services. He just took what they gave him; which included homemade bread, pies, and cookies. Weather never kept him from his “people” duties. Donnie was always free to run errands for them too.

Don was a very humble soul. He never tried to impress anyone. What you saw was what you got. He could talk to anyone and usually got a laugh from them. He touched the lives of so many people and even though they might not know him personally, they saw him either on his bike or in his truck, making the rounds to yard sales and “cheap” stores. He could be seen making the rounds in the early mornings, checking on the beach and the lake and all the progress on the new construction in the area.

Donnie’s “Man Cave” was his favorite place for relaxation and socializing. It was a place of a lot of get togethers. The décor was all Native American. He was a proud Elder of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Family gatherings weren’t complete without Donnie. His humor and wit around the family made a very happy occasion. He and his brothers made his family a lot of happy memories. He had his secret recipe for dill pickles, which the family loved.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Geraldine Masse; his four brothers, Herbert “Pug”, Ben “Chip”, Silas, and Melvyn.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Helen; his two sons, Donnie Jr and Scott (Alice Hilton); his grandchildren, Donnie III (Megan Bratschi), Logan, Emilie, Jonathan, and one due in March. He is also survived by extended family, Jamie (Shawn) Wehner, the mother of Donnie III, and other extended grandchildren, Ty, Amari, Jesse, Karly, and Bella, many nieces and nephews, and his siblings, Georgianna Jolly-Comstock, Bernadine Campbell, Lucille LaFreniere, Angeline (Randall) Castie, Louis (Staci) Case, and Bernard (Janice) Case.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.