Donald "Don" Ira Dodge

Donald Ira Dodge, aged 97 years, beloved husband, father, step-father, grandfather and great grandfather was received into the arms of Our Lord on March 11, 2025. He lived a long and blessed life filled with so much love, joy and adventure!

He was born on January 19, 1928 to the late Clarence H. and Gertrude (Bacon) Dodge. Growing up in the Banks part of Bay City, Don graduated from Central High School in 1945. In 1946 he joined the US Army, reaching the rank of Corporal, 526 Aircraft Control, Fort Shafter, Oahu, Hawaii. He was Honorably discharged in 1949.

In 1950 he married Norine Frank (Treadway) and together they raised their family in Lansing and Bay City. While in Lansing, Don attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1955 with an Electrical Engineering degree. His first job was with Abrams Survey and Engineering in Lansing before moving to Saginaw Steering Gear in 1958. He retired in 1989.

In 1981 Don was married to Carole (Grantner Hopkins) and it was the beginning of many great adventures for the two of them. Sailing was their favorite pastime, spending hours on Lake Huron with family and friends. Their grandest sail was the two summers they sailed from Bay City , through the Erie Canal out to the Northeast coast of the US and Canada. They sailed through the Hudson River and the St. Lawrence Seaway on their return home.

Besides sailing, Don had many hobbies. He loved to garden- growing flowers and vegetables and berries. He had a very green thumb!

He was a talented woodworker and carver. He belonged to the Saginaw Woodcarvers Club and helped to carve the blue rabbit on the Celebration Carousel. His grandchildren have precious mementos of his love in the many special pieces of woodworking talents. Above all, he was a “Mr. Fix it” – he could fix anything! And if it didn’t work, he would figure out a way to make it work! His sons, daughters and grandchildren all benefitted for his wealth of knowledge. He never stopped teaching us!

Don and his family were the owners of the land that is now Frankenlust Twp. Nature Park. He was instrumental in developing the land he had lived on for more than 50 years and creating the nature park- leaving his Dodge legacy for future generation.

Don was predeceased by his parents, his siblings Denver, Oliver, Russell, Clifford and Jack Dodge and Virginia Kennedy. Also gone before him are his son Douglas C. Dodge and grandson Tyler J. Anlas.

Survived by his loving wife Carole, his cherished daughters DeeEllen (Russell)Hawkins, Rebecca Dodge and Jeannine Dodge. Also, his dear stepchildren Rebecca (Rich) Sommerville, Dr. Bonnie (Jason) Parker, Kevin (Tammy) Hopkins and Thomas (Tammy Kangas) Anlas.

Left with wonderful memories of their grandpa are Ryan (Kara) Honig, Elliott (Melissa) Honig, Emily (Keanu) Rodriguez, Lt. Col. Matthew (Lt. Col. Carrie) Hawkins, Jordan (Gabriel) Bradley, Megan (Dave) King, Justin and Cassidy Anlas, Audrey and Addison Parker and Jared Braley. Great grandchildren Kaitlyn and Justin Honig, Hailey and Taylor Honig, Madison, Molly and Megan Hawkins. RiMireu King, Isaac and Jasper Bradley.

Don will also be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews, his good friends in Frankenlust Twp, especially Pat and Nancy Somaleski and his dear friends at Symphony Tri-Cities.

The family would like to thank Advisacare Hospice, especially Jennifer, Melissa and Kelly for the care and love they have given Don.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the resurrection and the life: He who believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Paul II Parish (469 Shattuck Rd, Saginaw, MI 48604). Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. William Rutkowski with Military Honors following the Mass. Entombment will take place at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gephart Funeral Home and on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be considered to the Frankenlust Township Nature Park (checks be made out to Frankenlust Township Treasurer Note: Nature Park).