Danny ‘Dan’ Howard MacDonald
GWINN, MI – Danny “Dan” Howard MacDonald, age 69, of Gwinn, Michigan, died Monday, June 19, 2023, in Pickford, Michigan. He was born July 30, 1953, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Robert Wayne and Bernice Stella (Nayback) MacDonald.
Dan grew up in Pickford, the eldest of five children. He graduated from Pickford High School in 1971. Following graduation, he worked for Louie’s Well Drilling in Rudyard, Michigan, before moving to Gwinn where he and his father partnered to form MacDonald’s Well Drilling. They worked together for many years until his father’s retirement. Dan took over the family business and he and his son, Dan Jr., continued the business until he retired in 2014 to enjoy his family and friends.
Dan loved spending time with his many friends in Gwinn. He was always willing to help anyone who was in need and enjoyed the tradition of morning coffee with the guys the most.
Dan truly enjoyed riding his snowmobile, side by side, and motorcycle and was always ready for a new adventure. He was active in the local snowmobile association, as well as other community activities. Dan was an avid fan of local racing and NASCAR. He enjoyed his home in the woods and feeding the deer and turkeys who visited.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Kelley MacDonald; daughter-in-law, Natasha Collins; grandsons, Stephen MacDonald, Gavin MacDonald, and Brian Copley; granddaughters, Chloe N. MacDonald and Paige A. MacDonald. He also leaves behind his mother, Bernice MacDonald of Pickford; siblings, Kathleen (Roger) Jacobson of Pickford, Bonnie (Dave) Fox of Easley, South Carolina, and Dean (Ami) MacDonald of Greensboro, Georgia; all of whom were his caregivers during his recent illness; his sister-in-law, Sue MacDonald of Pickford; and several nieces and nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, Robert MacDonald; his son, Danny MacDonald Jr., and his brother, Keith MacDonald.
A Celebration of Dan’s life will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at The Up North Lodge Event Center, 215 County Road 557, in Gwinn.
Inurnment will be on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.
Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation of Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family.
Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.