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Donald J. Vandercook Sr. age 87, of Temperance, MI died on October 11, 2017 at Hospice of Northwest OH facility.  Donald was born on December 15, 1929 to Gaylord and Hazel (Miller) Vandercook in Dundee, MI.  He was a 1947 graduate of Monroe High School.  He enlisted in the Army in 1947 and after serving 2 yrs then enlisted in the Navy serving from 1950 to 1952 .  He was stationed in the Philippines and served during the Korean War.  Don met Mary Ann Perry at a roller rink in LaSalle, MI and they married on September 23, 1950.  After his military service he returned to Monroe and worked for Woodall Industries until it closed.  He  also worked as a cement mason for Arnold Beverly and was a member of the Local 886 Cement Masons Union,  the American Legion Post in Temperance and a lifetime member of the Erie VFW Post 3925 serving as Commander from 1970-1971.  He continued to dedicate his time and talents at the VFW after his retirement in 1991 until his death. After his wife’s death in 2003 he could be found at the VFW daily and was known fondly by his friends as the “Daytime commander”.

A special thanks to his caregivers Rose Stevens, Connie & Scott Snyder and Sandy Morris for the excellent care they gave him while he was still home and The Hospice of Northwest OH facility (South Toledo) for the end of life care and dedication to making his last days comfortable.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann and son John Steven, grandson Matthew Marvin Vandercook both his parents and brothers; Robert, William, John(Chuck), Casper( Raymond), Russell, Rolland and Gerald.

Surviving children are:  Kathleen Malosh of Lamberville, MI,  Michael (Marsha) Vandercook of Temperance, MI, Donald Vandercook Jr. of  Monroe, MI,  Stephen (Sharon Turner) of  Sylvania, OH and Donna (Patrick) Steele of Toledo, OH.  14 grandchildren; Dr. Laura (Malosh) Ison Phd (Daniel Ison),  Lisa (Ryan) Craig  and  Kara Malosh, Dana (Mike) Shrader, Anne (Jerry) Krawiec, Shawn Roberts, Shannon ( Todd)           Petak, Donald III (Kiley) and Jesseca Vandercook,  Amber Orwig, Allison (Bret) Paxton, Joshua (Rachel) Steele, Jordyn (Dallas) Lee and Janae Steele and 16 great grandchildren; Summer & Owen Ison, Lucas, Abigail & Alaina Craig, Hayden & Logan Shrader,   Adrienne Roberts, Bethany(Dylan) King & Makayla Petak, Mia, Colton, Cooper, Coby & Camden Vandercook, and  Kaydence Ulrick,

Brothers; James, Larry, Edwin, and Marvin and Sister: Helen Hyden.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Road (At Jackman Rd.)Temperance, MI. where services will follow at 1:00 pm. Interment, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Resurrection Cemetery, Temperance, MI.

The family requests any donations in his honor be made either to the Erie VFW Post 3925,  1944 E. Erie Rd., Erie MI. 48133 or the Hospice of Northwest OH.