Donald “Don” Bechen, age 94, of Sandusky, MI died Monday, June 17, 2019 at Autumnwood of Deckerville, MI. Donald Leo Bechen was born April 3, 1925 in Belvidere, SD. He was the son of the late Reuben and the late Elizabeth (Mader) Bechen. He grew up in Kadoka, Artesian and Mitchell, SD. Don moved to the Brown City, MI area in the late 1980s. He married Carole Forristall Waldschlagger on April 18, 1984 in Princeton, IL. They moved to Sandusky in 1998. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole Forristall Waldschlagger on April 21, 2001. Don was employed as a truck driver for 20-plus years by Rochester Manufacturing in Rochester, MI. He received many awards for safe driving. Don farmed while living in Brown City and was a rancher in South Dakota.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Hammond of Sterling Heights, MI and Bonnie Chalawa of Howell, MI; two sons, David Bechen of Florida and Scott Bechen of Florida; one brother, Howard (Mary) Bechen of Mitchell, SD; and his special friend, Cheryl Emerick of Brown City, MI.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Carole Bechen; daughter, Christine Bechen; and two brothers, Russ Bechen and Ed Bechen.
The memorial service was held on Saturday, June 22 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI. Deacon Tom Yezak officiated.
Arrangements were made by Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.
Please be sure to sign our online register at muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences.
