Don Charles Anker, age 80 years, died Friday, February 22, 2008 at his residence. He was born to the late William Henry and Frankie Louisa (Beckett) Anker on December 17, 1927 in Highland Park, MI. The family later moved back to the family farm in the Cass City area where Don attended a one-room school. Don graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. He served in the U.S. Army, earning many awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merritt. His duty assignments took him to Ft. Hood Texas, Ft. Sill Oklahoma, Ft. Bliss Texas, Alaska, Korea, Japan and Germany. Don also taught at West Point in the Earth, Space and Graphic Science Departments. Retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1972, he went on to purchase a franchise from General Business Services which he sold in 1998. Don was a member of the noon Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a Boy Scout Troop Master for more than 13 years. He spent many years as an Assistant District Commissioner of the Lake Huron Area Council. Don took Wood Badge training and was a permanent member of the Fox Patrol. He led his Boy Scout Troop on a five day hike (Rim to Rim to Rim) through the Grand Canyon. Don was an avid outdoorsman, back-packing and canoe-camping throughout Michigan with his wife. He and Bobbi truly enjoyed driving their RV on many trips in the U.S. and Canada and spending the winters in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
On July 31, 1955 Don married the former Barbara "Bobbi" Scholz in Fort Bliss, Texas. Bobbi survives him along with their three children: Dean and his wife Jeri Phillips Anker and their son, Britton, also Francis Cicchini Anker, Norma Anker and her husband Larry Weinberg and their three daughters: Elizabeth, Samantha and Mattea. Charles and his wife Sandra Larson Anker and their five children: Karl, Kate, Ben, Ellen and Lydia. George Anker, deceased, and his widow Daileen Sobczak Anker and their daughter, Sarah. In addition to his parents and his son, he was preceded in death [killed in action in Germany during WW2) by his brother, [U.S. Army Pfc.] Dean William Anker and his grandson, Daniel Cicchini Anker.
Cremation will take place and a Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, Essexville. Rev. Patrick C. O'Connor will preside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Boy Scouts Tribute Fund. The family will be present at the Trahan Funeral Chapel on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at church Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
The Anker Family would like to express their gratitude to Bay Visiting Nurses and Hospice and the private caregivers for their kindness and compassionate care.
Trahan Funeral Home - Published by Bay City Times - Feb. 24, 2008