Donald Roy DeWaard, 86, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died at Sunrise Assisted Living on Thursday, April 30, 2009. He was born in Holland, Michigan to Cornelius and Jennie (Helmers) DeWaard on June 1, 1922. Don was raised in Holland, where he graduated from Holland High School. He was a veteran of WWII, serving with the U.S. Air Force 515th Bomber Squadron as a pilot over Europe, The Balkans and The Rhineland, receiving the Air Medal with Clusters, a Silver Battle Star and a Purple Heart. He was shot down over Germany and spent the last year of the war in a POW camp. Don was discharged as a Captain from the Reserves in 1955. He attended Hope College and graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. Don moved to Battle Creek in 1949 and worked 26 years as a CPA for Price Waterhouse and then retired after ten years with the Kellogg Company in 1986. He moved to Novi in 2001 and resided in West Bloomfield since 2004. Don was united in marriage to Gerrie Louise Selinger at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek on October 23, 1948. He was preceded in death by Gerrie, his wife of 56 years on July 24, 2005 and brothers Arthur and Walter DeWaard. Surviving are his daughters, Linda A. (Gary) Richards of White Lake, MI and Kristine (David) Mazzei of Waterford, MI; a son, Larry D. (Marsha Plank) DeWaard of Kansas City, MO: four grandchildren, Anthony (Chris) Mazzei, Vincent Mazzei, Mario Mazzei and Paul Mazzei and three great-grandchildren, Jade, Ethan and Savanna; sister-in-law, Sallie Selinger of Battle Creek; and several nieces and nephews. Don was a past member, treasurer and president of the Lakeview School Board, a long-standing member of the Lakeview Kiwanis Club and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was an excellent cabinet maker, enjoyed golfing, gardening and traveling with his wife. At the request of the family, friends may call after 5:00 p.m. Monday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where they will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Military honors and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice, 27355 John R Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com


Published in the Battle Creek Enquirer on 5/3/2009