Donald Duane Doubleday, known by his family and friends as “Timer”, passed away October 2, 2021. He was born in East Leroy in 1927 and was 94 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Leroy Congregational Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at the VFW in Athens, 120 Veterans Drive.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation.
Feeling the call of duty at age 16, Timer left the family farm after graduating from Athens High School in 1944 to join the U.S. Maritime Service (Merchant Marines). Following his training in Sheepshead Bay, NY he crewed as Fireman and Gun Crew on Liberty ships in the Pacific theatre. In 1945 Timer joined the U.S. Marine Corp, serving in the Military Police in Tientsin, China as a China Marine, part of the 1st Marine Division.
Leaving the USMC for civilian life and reserve duty in 1959, he was recalled for the Korean conflict. Timer rejoined the Marines on active duty in 1959 until 1962 when he again entered civilian life while joining the Michigan Air National Guard as a USAF Reservist. Returning to active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1964, Timer served on various ships, but notably as a ‘River Rat ‘in Vietnam.
Timer retired from active duty in 1972 after 23 years of service. Upon return to civilian life Timer worked at Grand Trunk railroad as a shop supervisor until he retired in 1989.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 37 years Mary Ann (nee Klein), step-son Matthew Doubleday, his parents, Lee and Ethel (nee Corson), and siblings Ivan, Emily Genevieve “Jane” Morrow, Anna Arlene Tuttle, Catherine “Kate” Norris, Stanley, and Marion “Bird” Jeleniewski.
Timer is survived by his younger brother Richard “Dick”, step-children Diana “Dinah” Hayes, Gloria “Dorty” Wood, Tom and Rob Doubleday, and son Marc.
He was the last surviving charter member of the American Legion Post 465 in Climax, MI. Timer was also a member of VFW Post 5319 in Athens, MI and he was frequently there enjoying a burger and a beer (or three!) and bantering with his fellow veterans.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015.
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