Donald Lavon Shea, 90, of Traverse City passed away January 23, 2020 at Bay View Assisted Living.

Don was born on February 3, 1929 in Thompsonville to the late Thomas C. and Dessie Mae (O'Blenis) Shea.

Don honorably served our country as a member of the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952. He married the love of his life, Mildred Ann Youker on October 20, 1951 in Thompsonville.

Don graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Banking. He went on to become the manager at Peninsula Fruit Exchange for fifty years. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading. Above all else he cherished his time with his grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his daughter Ann Sutliff; grandson Logan Shea; brothers Kenneth and Chester, sister Elizabeth MacGirr and nephew Richard McCarthy.

Don is survived by his wife of 68 years, Millie; daughter Katherine (Tim) Belanger; son Patrick (Marta) Shea; son Michael (Shanna) Shea; Son-in-law Jeff Sutliff; twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Don's life will be held on Friday January 31, 2020 at 11:00am at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Don will receive military honors from the Cherryland VFW Honor Guard #2780 and the American Legion Post #35.

Interment will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Old Mission Peninsula American Legion. P.O. Box 39, Old Mission Peninsula, MI, 49673.