Donald McAbee

Published 7:06 am Friday, November 15, 2024

November 5, 1940 – November 10, 2024

It is with a very heavy heart we share the passing of Donald (Don) H. McAbee of Edwardsburg, Michigan. Mr. McAbee was a proud United States Navy veteran who honorably served his country for 23 years.

He served, with his wife and children by his side, in countless duty stations and aboard several US Naval ships to include the USS Shangrila, USS Bon Homme Richard and the USS Roosevelt—no easy task when you have seven children.

Those who knew Mr. McAbee know that he has never met a stranger. While in the US Navy, he also worked as a RV salesman where he enjoyed meeting new people, a trait that would define his post-military entrepreneurial career. Even in retirement, Mr. McAbee held the military close to his heart as a member of the Edwardsburg, Michigan VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Mr. McAbee was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 55 years, Kathryn “Katie” McAbee; his son, Gregory L. McAbee; his parents, Linnie and Pearline McAbee; two grandchildren, Sable and Joseph Kroner; and his Brother-in-Law and good friend, Kenneth Grubbs.

He is survived by his daughters, Sarah Hinkle of Calabash, North Carolina; Trisha Kroner of Moyock, North Carolina; Linda Lengle of Clayton, Delaware; Jennifer Kirksey of Niles, Michigan; Jacqueline McAbee of Edwardsburg, Michigan; Donna McAbee of Indiana and his sister, Linda Grubbs of Niles, Michigan. Mr. McAbee preferred a quiet and casual life with family as his primary focus.

He had seven children, 23 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He loved to Bar-B-Que and his favorite times were cookouts with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Services will be held at Brown’s Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan on Wednesday, November 20th. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM and the service will immediately follow at noon concluding with full military honors at the funeral home with the US Navy as well as American Legion Post 51, Buchanan.

Mr. McAbee’s ashes will be buried at sea by the US Navy with military rites. As he enjoyed the casual life, the family invites everyone to attend the services in casual attire, if they wish to do so.

If you prefer a charitable donation in lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks you to please donate to Homes for Our Troops (www.HFOTUSA.org) in his name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.