David George Morkin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

A David George Morkin, 74, of Traverse City passed on Friday, February 09, 2018 in Traverse City, Michigan. David was born on June 18, 1943 to the late Pauline (Beatty) and George Prosser Morkin in Oil City, PA. He graduated from Olean High School in Olean, NY and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City and loved it so much he requested a second tour of duty here, where he stayed after his discharge, making Traverse City his home. He served as an Aviation Machinist Mate on his favorite aircraft, the C-130 Hercules, as part of the International Ice Patrol in Argentina, Newfoundland. This established his lifelong love with aviation and attending air shows all over the United States. David entered into marriage with the former Gloria J. Blume on September 07, 1968 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A year later they bought a house on Hannah Ave., a fixer upper, where they made their home for the next 48 years. They were members of Immaculate Conception Church. David began working for the City of Traverse City in 1967 and was proud of his career in the Water Department. He received S-1 Certification from the State of Michigan as a Waterworks System Operator. He retired in 2003 as a Utilities System Specialist. Along with aviation, David was an avid fan of trains, automobiles, Great Lakes freighters, and draft horses. He was a member of Northwest Michigan Draft Horse & Mule Association and enjoyed many horse pull events in the area. Always wanting to ‘get out of dodge,’ he had no qualms about loading the kids up in the car for a ‘quality ride’ to the Soo Locks or somewhere downstate to chase trains. He enjoyed HO scale model trains and modeled his own “Great Hannah and Northern Railroad” on his home layout. He was a former member of the Grand Traverse Railroad Club and volunteered with the Festival of Trains back when it was held at the City Opera House. Through the years he enjoyed many rail fan trips with his buddies Kelly, Dave, and Jerry all who preceded him in death. David had a great sense of humor which was enjoyed by everyone and handed down to his kids, who he thought were awesome. He loved to talk about his different life experiences with anyone who would listen and even those who didn’t. He thoroughly enjoyed John Philip Sousa marches, operas by Verdi and Rossini, songs by Jimmie Rodgers-the legendary brakeman, and listening to bagpipes. David is survived by his wife Gloria and his kids, Maximilian (Kathy) of Mascoutah, IL, Marjorie (Lyndell) Luster of Fort Belvoir, VA, Melinda (Matthew) Dishart of Mount Joy, PA and grandsons, Austin Conner and Tyler Morkin, Alexander, Zachary and Daniel Luster, and his siblings, Rebecca Ferrill of McKinney, TX and James Morkin of Harbor Springs, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janet Morkin. Visitation for David will take place on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5 until 7 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The service celebrating his life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank Dr. Bradley Goodwin, Bob Mayer at Harbor Oxygen, the staff at Southridge Assisted Living, and Great Lakes Home Healthcare for helping to care for David, and Chronic Care Management, especially JC Bailey who has been an invaluable source of support in recent years. For those desiring to honor David with a memorial contribution, the family would suggest the Food Pantry of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

David George Morkin

June 18, 1943 - February 9, 2018