Donald Lee Fashbaugh, 85, was born November 4, 1939, and passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at his residence in his son's arms on April 24, 2025.

Don was born in Traverse City to Arthur Fashbaugh and Matilda (Rokos) Fashbaugh. He was the youngest of four children: Loretta, Arthur Jr, and Joanne, who have all predeceased him. With his brother and two sisters, he grew up on the shores of Silver Lake at Fashbaughs Resort and Pavilion. He led a very full life and accomplished many things. He graduated from Traverse City Central HS in 1958 and was active in class monthly lunches at Sleders Tavern. He had a lot of good lifetime friends he grew up with, Bill Eisner, being his friend the longest. Some of his friends had a very colorful reputation to say the least; everyone survived the adventures so it made for a life well lived.  Someone should ask Bill about shining deer on what is now Yukor Road or water skiing on Silver Lake with nothing more than skis, a swim suit and a hat, being a couple of the most noted adventures. Growing up on a summer resort was the greatest thing for Don; vacationers always had an ample supply of kids to have fun with all summer long. One of his fondest memories as a 6 year old, was when his dad, Art, returned from military service after WWII. Don later served in the Army Reserves.

After High School, he and several other buddies, Chum Vogue and Bill Seiffert, had figured out that there were a lot of young nurses working in a hospital in Detroit, there he met his first wife, Janet Bacon on one of those excursions. They were married in 1964 and later, had a son, David, and a daughter Kelly (Crain). In 1974, Don and Janet divorced. He later met the love of his life, Virginia Olds, which also brought an expanded family for a total of 12, Richard (Althea) Olds, Joyce Olds, Victoria (Dean) Edgecomb, Tom (Cheryl) Olds (both deceased), Ann (Kim) Morin, Janet (Allen) Seiffert, Jim (Angie Smith) Olds, Tim (Ronda) Olds, Carol (Steve) Stocking, and Karen (Dean Domnoske) Zenner, David (Patty) Fashbaugh, and Kelly (Ed) Crain. 28 grand kids, many great grand kids as well as nephews and nieces. Don and Virginia were married for 40 years until she passed away on October 7th, 2018.

Don was an electrician like his father and a retired member of IBEW Local 498. He was proud of the different projects that he worked on around the area which included small house projects all the way up to Big Rock Nuclear Facility in Charlevoix, PCA, Morton Salt, and Martin Marrietta in Manistee. The men and woman he worked with in the IBEW were an extended family, and it was these relationships and work that afforded him a good retirement to be with his wife Virginia full time in retirement. They loved each other greatly, and it was devastating to him when she passed away after an extended illness. He spoke every day of her and the good years they had together. Don will be especially missed by his daughter Kelly and son David.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 PM, Friday, May 2, 2025, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, 200 N. Brownson Avenue, Kingsley, Michigan  49649, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  He will be laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery, in Grawn, at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com