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ISHPEMING TWP, MI – Donald B. Seagle, a long-time resident of Ishpeming Township, passed away on August 2, 2026.
He was born July 14, 1942 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island to Charles W. Seagle and Alice (Purchase) Seagle. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve during his senior year of high school and in 1960, upon graduation from Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force service sent him to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois and then to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn, Michigan where he worked as a missile mechanic on B-52 bombers. While stationed at Sawyer, he met Marilyn Williams, a local Ishpeming resident. They were married in October 1963. When his enlistment ended in early 1965, he and his young family moved to Fresno, California where they lived for six months before returning to Ishpeming.
He was employed at Lakeshore, Inc. in Negaunee and then with CCI at the Empire mine where he began his trade as a welder. In 1971, he was offered a welding instructor position at the Northern Michigan University Skill Center. He also began his pursuit of a university degree at this time. While teaching at the Skill Center, he was instrumental in developing the welding program into the world-class training and regionally respected program that it became. Working full-time and attending university classes were not enough for Donald. He and Marilyn purchased property and began building the family home as well as starting the family business, D&M Hobby Shop in Ishpeming. After moving into the new family home in 1976 and earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977, he continued his educational pursuits – earning his Master of Science degree in 1988 and achieving his lifelong dream of earning his Ph.D. in 1994 and attaining the title of Dr. Donald B. Seagle. Shortly after earning his Ph.D., he left the Skill Center to pursue other opportunities; first at Denmark Technical College in Denmark, South Carolina and then at Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) in Orem, Utah before retiring in 2000. After retiring he worked part-time at Central Pontiac in Ishpeming and Fox Motors in Negaunee detailing cars and driving cars between dealerships.
He was preceded in death by his parents, half-sister Mary “Betty” McDermott, half-brother CSM Robert McDermott (USA, Ret.), and two brothers Edward “Skip” Seagle and Kenneth Seagle.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years Marilyn Seagle of Ishpeming, sons Donald (Allison) of West Point, Utah; Ronald of Lawton, Michigan; and Stacy of Taylor, Michigan. He is also survived by his grandchildren Katie (Dustin) Roberts, Audrey (Andrew) Roberts, Melissa Seagle, Brett Seagle, Kelsey Seagle, Haley Seagle, and Deborah Masters and great grandson Eli Roberts as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also remembered by close friends and neighbors.
In keeping with his wishes he was cremated and no public services will be held. A private ceremony of remembrance with immediate family and close friends will be held at a date and place yet to be determined.