Donald Keith Bessler

July 13, 1935 - February 3, 2020

Donald Keith Bessler, “Don” age 84, of Madison Heights, MI passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3rd, 2020, at St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren. He was born July 13, 1935, in Lake George, MN to the late Carl and Agnes (Johannsen) Bessler. He was a 1953 graduate of LaPorte High School with a perfect attendance record and as the highest ranking male graduate in the state of MN for that year. He served in the Army during the Korean War, and after proudly working as a trim carpenter on historical Detroit buildings such as the St. Regis Hotel, The Pontchartrain and more, he started his successful home improvement business, Don Mar Modernization. Don was actively involved in local government since making their home in Madison Heights in 1958, on the Tax Board of Review since 1965, on the Charter and Ordinance Review Board in 1967, member of the Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus, and lifetime member of the Detroit Sportsman’s Club. He was an avid - meaning plan vacations around seasons - bowler and golfer. In his earlier years he hunted and competed in trap shooting. He was a Breweriana and antique collector/dealer with a weekend booth at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market where he was known as “Derby Don” for over 40 years. Don enjoyed just about any sports, traveling, cooking (he was the pancake man at church & made the BEST gravy for every family holiday), playing cards/games/pinochle (and was always fiercely competitive, even with UNO!), political debates, sharing stories from his life, and family time. He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Marie, his children, Victor Bessler of Clinton Township, MI, Vikki (Patrick) Gailunas of Lake Worth, FL, Denise (Rick) Klecker of Milford, MI, Kurt (Freda) Bessler of Greenbrier, TN, and Amy Bessler of Madison Heights, MI, 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Rita (Dave) Ryall, numerous extended family and many friends. Brother of Larry (Kim) Bessler, Clarence (Sylvia) Bessler and Betty (Ron) Beard. He is predeceased by his brothers Mike, Wayne and Harold Bessler, and his daughter-in-law Patti (Victor) Bessler. Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 16th from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Military Honors at 7 pm followed by the Rosary being recited and lead by the Knights of Columbus at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 31145 John R. Road, Madison Heights, Michigan. Memorial visitation at 9:30 am with a Memorial Mass at 10 am Monday, February 17th at St. Vincent Ferrer Any donations made in lieu of flowers will be contributed to a charitable organization and the purchase of a memorial tree/bench.