Born Feb. 18, 1948, in Chicago, IL to Joseph Edward Swartzlander and Alitta (Krieger), Don grew up in Watervliet where he played baseball & basketball and spent time on Paw Paw Lake. After graduating from WMU, he met his loving wife, Anne, and many lifelong friends, while bartending at The Knollwood.
Don was active in the community at all levels from coaching little league to the Allegan County Planning Commission to lobbying for national infrastructure reform. He worked for Balkema Excavating and Milbocker & Sons. He served on numerous boards for the Michigan Road Builders Association and Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Authority (MITA) and upon his 2013 retirement, was recognized with a MITA Honorary Member Award.
Don was a walking contradiction. He remembered everyone’s name but craved solitude and time in the woods. He could explain calculus, solve complicated engineering equations, and quote Shakespeare from memory. He enjoyed traveling, including hunting in South Dakota and Argentina and fishing on Lake Michigan and in British Columbia. After retirement, he and Anne traveled the country and world. His greatest passion was his family and he felt strongly about eating dinner together. Don could be found spending time at the lake, cheering on MSU sports, and cooking and smoking meats.
Don passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2022 and is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Anne (Allan); two children, Elaina (Sam) Allison and Mark (Emily); grandchildren, Cathryn and a baby due April 27.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joe II, Tim, and Bob.
Please join the family in sharing stories and laughter to remember Don. Visitation is 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 at Gorden Funeral Residence, 528 Trowbridge St., Allegan, MI. Funeral service is at 11a.m. on Friday, April 8 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 110 N. Cedar St., Allegan.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don’s memory to Wings of Hope Hospice or Allegan Sports Boosters.
Don always said he’d had a wonderful life. Your attendance at his celebration would be a testament to that. Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, please wear a mask during indoor events.