Donald Charles Barkus, 86, of Houghton Lake passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Grayling Nursing and Rehabilitation Community.
Donald was born on April 23, 1934 in Flint, Michigan to Charles and Luella (Gonyea) Barkus. He grew up in the Flint area and graduated from Flint Beecher High School. Donald served as a Sp4 In the army during the Korean War. After his service, Donald received his Masters Degree in education from the University of Detroit. He worked as a School Teacher for the Flint Area Public Schools, Detroit Area Public Schools, Ontonagon Public Schools and Paradise Area Public Schools before his retirement. He also worked with the Redak Corp. on rapid reading phonics. Donald was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Roscommon Council on Aging and an avid Detroit Tigers fan and Green Bay Packer fan.
Surviving Donald are his five nieces, Leslie Fry, Deanna Palek, Charlene Barkus, Debra Pajtas and LeAnne Barkus; and several friend in the Houghton Lake area. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Barkus and Allen Barkus.
Mass of Christian Burial for Donald Charles Barkus will be conducted at 11:00A.M. on Friday, December 18, 2020 from St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernard Tyler officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at 11:00 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church, Houghton Lake Chapel. There will also be visitation at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home in North Branch from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. on Monday, December 21, 2020 with a scripture service at 11:00 A.M. with Deacon Peter Lynch. Interment with military honors will be held at Flint Memorial Park in Mt. Morris following the scripture service. Memorial contributions in memory of Donald are asked to be directed to St. James Catholic Church. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com
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