Donald R. Doyen
Donald R. Doyen
GWINN, MI – Donald R. Doyen, 86, of Gwinn, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Don was born on June 1, 1927, in Arnold, Michigan, a son of the late Clement and Marcella (St.Vincent) Doyen. He was a 1955 graduate of Gwinn High School and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. Don had multiple re-assignments between England and the United States, all together serving 23 years in the Air Force.
While in the Air Force, Don married his wife, Margaret, on April 17, 1957 in Aldeburgh, England.
After retiring from the Air Force, Don and his family returned to Gwinn where he found employment as a corrections officer for the Michigan State Department of Corrections. He retired from the Marquette Branch Prison after 15 years of service.
During his retirement years, Don and his late wife, Margaret, enjoyed traveling to see the grandkids. He loved to care for his garden, dabble in woodwork a bit, and visit with friends and family.
Survivors include five children, Jo-Anne (Tom) Gustafson of Goldsboro, NC, Richard (Hyong) Doyen of Spokane, WA, Donna DeLaGarza of San Antonio, TX, Andrew (Kelli) Doyen of Gwinn and Marie Doyen of Niagara, WI; 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; three brothers, Clement Doyen, Jr. of Tennessee, Ronald Doyen of Gladstone and Clifton Doyen of Cornell, MI; two sisters, Jeanette (Norman) Thomma of Gwinn and Linda (Buck) Thomma of Gwinn; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death besides his parents was his wife, Margaret on November 16, 2018; a brother, Harold Doyen and an infant sister, Joann.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 9 in the Baraga Room at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gwinn beginning at 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 12 noon with Rev. Sabastian Oppong officiating. Burial will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 280 Boulder St., Gwinn, MI 49841 in Don’s memory.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services which will release a complete obituary notice shortly.