Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Daniel Patrick Donovan

September 15, 1956 - October 13, 2024
Lawton, MI

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Life Story Service

Saturday, October 19, 2024
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Reception

Saturday, October 19, 2024
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Where food, drinks, and stories will be shared.

Driving Directions

Burial

Saturday, October 19, 2024
1:30 PM EDT
St. Mary Cemetery
S. Lagrave St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

ALS Association
1300 Wilson Blvd Ste 600
Arlington, VA 22209
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Hardworking, unique, and generous, Daniel Patrick Donovan lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Dan’s eclectic interests and love of a good time led to many wonderful memories shared with those he so dearly loved. A man who was easily remembered by all who were lucky to meet him, Dan enjoyed the simple pleasures of good music, time on the water, and sharing his passions with others.

1955 proved a year of vibrant growth, with consumerism taking off in previously unimaginable ways. With the sale of nearly 7.9 million cars, for the first time in history, seven out of ten families in the US owned an automobile, and new laws were created to require seat belts to be installed on all new cars. This was the year Ray Kroc built the first McDonald’s, and TV dinners appeared, including the first fish fingers. Cans of Coca-Cola, Lego, Velcro, and The Mickey Mouse Club all made their debuts during this prosperous year, while Rock and Roll music continued to grow in popularity with more idols, including Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters. This time of hope and plenty grew especially bright as James and Penny (George) Donovan welcomed their son Daniel into their hearts and home on September 15, 1956, in Hammond, Indiana.

Dan grew up in the good company of a large family, including eight siblings, in Griffith, Indiana. His mother played piano, was a music teacher, and served as the Dean of Music at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. His father played trumpet and worked as the manager of a lumberyard.

After graduating from Griffith High School, Dan attended Calumet College of Saint Joseph. For over 35 years, Dan worked at Lever Brothers/Unilever in Hammond, Indiana.

A lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, and the South Bend Cubs, Dan loved all things baseball, especially restoring old baseball gloves and attending as many games as possible at Wrigley Field with his kids, nieces, and nephews. For many years, Dan played softball and mushball; he was a great third-baseman. For Dan, the only thing better than oiling a glove, the sound of the bat smashing one to the outfield, or the roar of the crowd, was sharing the game he loved so much with the people he loved even more.

Dan’s house on Gravel Lake became a hub for his family and friends, as Dan loved hosting visitors. These times often included pontoon rides and endless stories. He enjoyed working on his home and patiently putting puzzles together. Some of the puzzles included thousands of pieces and took months to complete. The last puzzle he completed was entirely purple.

A man of many tastes, Dan loved music. He inherited his musical talent from his parents and played clarinet. He enjoyed listening to jazz, opera, Elvis Presley gospel songs, and the classic tunes of Louis Armstrong. He also had an adventurous side. He was able to take epic motorcycle trips to California and Mexico and traveled to the Florida Keys, experiencing so many thrills along the way. A man who loved the Lord, Dan believed strongly in the power of prayer. He encouraged others and invited them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Though our days with Dan were far too few, may we find comfort in our many wonderful memories and knowing he is forever in Heaven. May we also find comfort in carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we cheer on the Cubs, enjoy a pontoon ride, engage in meaningful conversations, work a puzzle, listen to favorite tunes, cheer on our loved one’s endeavors, and actively pursue our faith, we keep Dan’s memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Daniel Patrick Donovan, age 68, died on October 13, 2024. Dan was born September 15, 1956, in Hammond, Indiana, to James and Penny (George) Donovan, who preceded him in death, along with his son, Lucas Donovan, and his daughter, Penelope Donovan. Surviving is his son, Daniel Buck Donovan, and siblings: Jamie (Phillip) Pike, Michael (Patti) Donovan, Christine (Jim) Long, Charles Donovan, Patrick (Michele) Donovan, Therese (Bruce) Dean, Bridget (Tony) Terry, and James Donovan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Saturday, October 19 at 11 AM at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M40 Hwy, Paw Paw (269) 657-3870. A reception will follow, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Celebrate Dan’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association.

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