Mr. Donald Dean Wade

Donald D. Wade, age 85, of Marysville, passed away on June 1, 2012. Don was born on January 31, 1927 in Detroit. He married Lexie Schmaltz on April 1, 1950. His family later moved to Merritt, Michigan, where he lived until he was 15 years old. They moved to Harbor Beach to attend high school and work on his uncle’s dairy farm. He got up early each day to milk cows and deliver milk before going to school. At 17 years old, he quit school to join the Navy. His mother, who lived in the U.P. by that time, had to come down to Harbor Beach to sign papers for him to enlist. In 1945, he took his basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois. He served in the Pacific Theater during WW II and earned the rank of Signalman. He sailed on the USS New Jersey (BB-62), SS Duluth (CL-87) and the USS Los Angeles (CA-135), serving with the Fifth, Third and Seventh Fleet. He was awarded the Asiatic Medal, WW II Victory Medal and Philippines Independence Medal. Don received his honorable discharge from the Navy in December 1947. He returned to Harbor Beach to work on the dairy farm and enroll in high school to complete his senior year. He attended school only half days, because he only needed World History to graduate. He later began working for Coca Cola and was transferred to the Port Huron plant in 1961. Don was a Life Member of the May-O’Brien VFW Post 8465, a member of American Legion Post 8, the Allied Veterans Council and the Allied Veterans Honor Guard/Firing Squad. Don was a member we can be proud of, since becoming a member in 1968, he served as Commander three times. He also served in other offices and currently was serving as Trustee and Chairman of the 23 Club. His concern and compassion for his fellow veterans was commendable. He was always working to improve the post by upgrading the facility and was always first in line to help with fundraising. He would flip pancakes for breakfast, work on the roast beef dinners, helped with catering, worked special holiday activities and picnics. He took time to go to Marwood Nursing and Rehab Center to demonstrate folding the American Flag to the clients. He helped put 400 flags on Veterans graves at several cemeteries before Memorial Day and also sold poppies again this year. He helped install a new flag pole at the post, build a cement handicap ramp, a new counter top in the kitchen, set up the building for various occasions, helped with funeral dinners and obtained financial help for veterans in need. He volunteered to assist the Past Quartermaster when became too ill to do all the work and was unable to drive. He also was on the volunteer clean-up crew for the post. Don retired as Vice President and General Manager of the Coca Cola Bottling Company and All Star Vending, after 26 years. Don is survived by his wife, Lexie of Marysville, daughter; Laura Peters of Port Huron, daughter and son-in-law; Donna (Tim) Garrettson of Jeddo, sons and daughters-in-law; Donald (Paula) Wade of Bad Axe, David (Cindy) Wade of Croswell and daughter and son-in-law; Linda (Don) Nuss of Ft. Gratiot, 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter, sister, Darlene Benson of Escanaba, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings; George Wade, Blanche Johnson, Francis Sarison, Edward Wade and a granddaughter, Stephanie Wade in 2002. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 6:00pm in the Jowett Funeral Home – 1634 Lapeer Ave. at 17th St., Port Huron. Pastor Dan Bakay will officiate. Inurnment will be Allied Veterans Cemetery Columbarium. Visiting hours will be from 2:00pm until time of service. Memorials tributes can be made to St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council, May O’Brien VFW Post #8465 or Blue Water Hospice. St. Clair Allied Veterans will conduct military honors.

Mr. Donald Dean Wade

January 31, 1927 - June 1, 2012