Donald M. Briggs

February 23, 1919 - April 18, 2009

Mr. Donald M. Briggs, age 90 of Free Soil, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Donald was born on February 23, 1919 in Fremont to Reuben and Jane (Kimbell) Briggs, the youngest of five children. Following the deaths of both parents at a young age, he lived with his four sisters, spending his youth in the Fremont and Muskegon areas. In 1943 he entered the US Navy and proudly served his country on a munitions carrier during WWII. Following his time in the Navy, he went back to Muskegon where he returned to his job at Muskegon Motor Specialties. Here he met Lucille Surrarrer and they were wed on June 4, 1949 at the Free Soil United Methodist Church. They celebrated 56 years together and Lucille preceded him in death on July 30, 2005. Don and Lucille had a farm in Free Soil where they raised their daughter Judy. Don worked for the fiberglass boat company in Scottville, for Farm Bureau and for Lidke’s Feed Mill, where he handled the crops as they were brought in, doing the work of cleaning the grains, among other things. Don enjoyed his work and his family, and loved to play his guitar.In addition to his parents and his wife Lucille, Don was preceded in death by his sisters Vera, Mona, Thelma and Sylvia. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Judy Colyer and her husband Tim, his grandchildren Dottie Howe of Grand Rapids, Bob Wabsis of Scottville, Rosie Howe of Grand Rapids, Don Howe of Scottville, Katie Drake of Muskegon and Jeff Colyer of Ludington, and his great grandchildren Alys, Tony, Kendra, Ashleigh, Cody, Justin, Collin, James, Aaron and Jesse James.A Graveside Service with military honors will be held for Don at 1 pm on Friday, April 24 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Free Soil, where he will be laid to rest next to Lucille. Pastor Jan O’Brien of Free Soil United Methodist Church will officiate.