Donald Hendges

TRAVERSE CITY — Donald Kenneth Hendges passed away Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Birchwood Nursing Center. Don was born Dec. 3, 1923. He graduated from Traverse City High School in 1943. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1943, serving in the South Pacific and Korea. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant on Feb. 6, 1946. He came home and married his sweetheart and right arm, Marie E. Haywood, on Nov. 25, 1946. They were married and lived in Grawn 55 years together, until her death in June 2002. During his lifetime he worked for several employers, including C & O Railroad; Cherry Growers; Parts Manufacturing; C.W. Mills Paper Company; Traverse City Area Public Schools; and Dingeman Outdoor Advertising, from which he retired. Working with his wife, Marie, raising their family, their second joy was working in their yard and garden. They also enjoyed a good card game with friends and family, as well as fishing together on the Boardman River and surrounding lakes. Don especially enjoyed making saw dust in his woodshop. Don is survived by his children, Randy (Linda Komrska) Hendges, Vanie (Gary) Jackson; son-in-law, Dennis Manville; grandchildren, Amy (Randy) Travis, Leslie Guyon, Alison (Patrick) Middleton; nine great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews. Preceding Don in death were his wife, Marie; daughter, Salinda M. Manville; infant daughter, Rita Susan; grandson, Kevin L. Manville; Don's parents, John and Anna Hendges; older brother, Edward Phillips; Don's twin brother, Delton Hendges Sr., and his wife, Maxine; and Don's sister, Lavina Phillips-Pike-Bolek. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice or to Munson Hospice. The family sends a special thank you to the caring staff of Birchwood Nursing Center. Funeral services will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Mary Brown will officiate. Please share thoughts with the family at Don's online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Donald Hendges

December 3, 1923