Donald Ihrke, age 83, of Dryden, MI died Friday, June 19, 2020 at McLaren Flint Region Medical Center. Donald Allen Ihrke was born April 20, 1937 in Millington, MI. He was the son of the late Clarence and the late Edna (Allen) Ihrke. He married Eleanor Jane Chapman on June 28, 1958 in Lapeer, MI. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, on May 21, 2008. Don was employed by the Village of Dryden as a Supervisor of the Department of Public Works for 30-plus years. He retired in the early 2000s. He was also the sexton of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for many years. Don was formerly on the Dryden Fire Department; he was a Captain and at one time the Department Chief (1972 – 1982). Don and Eleanor have lived in Dryden since the early 1960s. He enjoyed going to tractor shows with family members, fishing and camping.
Donald is survived by two daughters, Julie Teal of Imlay City, MI and Cheryl Ihrke of Dryden, MI; two sons, Gregory (Brenda) Ihrke of Prince George, VA and John (Laurie) Ihrke of Columbiaville, MI; and a brother, Lawrence Ihrke of Mayville, MI. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Ashley, Tyler, Kaylee, Eric, Thomas, Erika and Ivonne; and great-grandchildren: Sophia, Asher, Samantha, Faith, Boaz, Madison, Makenzie, Macaylah, Abby and Justin; and great-great-granddaughter, Priscilla.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his son-in-law, Thomas Teal; and several brothers and sisters and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A Fireman’s Salute is being held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 27, 2020 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI. Don’s cremated remains will be buried at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dryden next to his wife, Eleanor.
The family will be available for visitation 12 noon – 2 p.m., Saturday, June 27 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.
Due to recent health concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, masks, and limited occupation (10 people at a time) of the funeral home will be enforced.
Please be sure to sign the online register book at muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences with the Ihrke family.
