Dr. Donald Camp, 87

May 30, 1924 — Feb. 16, 2012

Dr. Donald C. Camp, M.D., 87, of Barrett Street, Niles, died at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness.

He was born May 30, 1924, in Ypsilanti, Mich., to Cyrus T. and Bertha (Horton) Camp, and graduated from Ypsilanti High School. He served in the United States Navy, returning as a veteran of World War II. He then completed his education, earning a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan and his doctorate from the University of Michigan Medical School. He lived in Niles since 1958, maintaining a practice as a general surgeon.

Dr. Camp was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, and a member and past state president of the American College of Surgeons. He served the community as a licensed pilot on the Niles Airport Board, and as an active member of the YMCA, helping establish the building on West Main Street, where he was a lifelong swimmer. He and Mrs. Camp also owned and operated The Barrett Place Bed and Breakfast.

Dr. Camp pursued several other interests, including amateur radio operation in Morse Code, with the call sign “W8UES;” sailing on the northern Great Lakes; and calling square dances. He also had a great interest in music, and could play many popular tunes by ear on the keyboard.

On April 4, 1952, in Ypsilanti, he married the former Mary M. Troub, who preceded him in death this past Aug. 27.

Surviving family includes their children, Don F. (Rachelle Howe) Camp, of Grand Haven, Mich., Mary Beth Camp, Ph.D., of Bloomington, Ind., Jim (Maryanne) Camp, of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Bill (Vicki) Camp, of Chicago; grandchildren, Kevin (Ann) Camp, Shannon (Joel) Billau, D.O., and Krista (Eric) Thigpen; great-grandchildren, Amari and Alexi; Kevin and Shannon’s mother, Cindy L. Camp; and Dr. Champ’s sister, Ellen Gingrich, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

The funeral service for Dr. Donald Camp will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of the church officiating, and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Dr. Camp may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.