Donald A. Needham, 75, of Coldwater, formerly of Burlington, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at The Laurels of Coldwater.
In keeping with Don’s wishes, he will be cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., with a visitation just prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI, 49094. Pastor Marty Burdick will officiate.
He will be interred with his wife, Patty, at Burlington Cemetery in the spring of this year.
Don was born on May 25, 1948, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Thomas and Lucille (Schencel) Needham. They moved to Novi when Don was 10 years old. He graduated from Northville High School with the Class of 1967.
Don married Patricia “Patty” Manns in Novi on October 21, 1979. She preceded him in death March 22, 2011. They later moved to Tekonsha in 1981, then to Burlington in 1984, and have spent their remaining years living there. Don moved to The Laurels about two years ago.
Don worked at Sears and subbed for lots of retailers installing carpet before opening his own carpet and flooring business, Needham Floors, in 2000. Known as “Carpet Man”, he started in Burlington and later moved the store to Union City.
Even though Don could be gruff, he was always humorous and telling jokes. He had a habit of being late all the time. His wife often remarked that he would be late for his own funeral. He was generous with his advice and could tell you how to fix anything. He enjoyed the fact that Patty had a garden, but was not one to work the garden. He never missed a meal if he could help it.
Some of his favorite pastimes were deer hunting, sharpening chainsaws, camping, breaking lawn mowers, and cruising the backroads to look for deer. He loved disco dancing with Patty when they were younger. Don longed to be with his wife again. She was the love of his life.
Don is survived by his sons, Scot (Stacy Guertler) Needham of Union City, Allen (Tracy) Kittel of Kentwood, Dan (Jackie) Needham of Portage, and Donny (Erin) Needham of Pioneer, OH; his daughter Samantha (J.R.) Marshall of Burlington; his 10 grandchildren; his 5 great-grandchildren; his brother Jim (Brenda) Needham of Whitmore Lake; his sister Melinda (Pete) Gatteri of Holt; and his several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Patty, Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Harriet (Bob) Bialy.
Memorial donations can be made to Community Unlimited, 221 Ellen Street, Union City, MI 49094 or BUCS Sports, 111 Calhoun Street, Union City, MI, 49094.
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