Donald Raymond Frankovich, age 89, of St. Ignace, Michigan died at the Straits Area Senior Living Community in St. Ignace on July 3, 2024. He was born on July 6, 1934, in Goetzville, Michigan, to Thomas and Victoria Antionette (Malkowski) Frankovich.
Donald grew up in Goetzville and graduated from Detour High School with the Class of 1953. After graduating, he worked for Algoma Steel before joining the U.S. Army, working as an electrician and in construction for two years during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and became a railroad worker. He met Diane Faye Wisner at a dance in Cedarville, Michigan, and they married on October 26, 1960, at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Goetzville.
Donald loved the outdoors, especially gardening, fishing, hunting, cutting wood, or just relaxing in a chair on the back porch. He was mechanically minded and enjoyed tinkering on his vehicles and machinery. His many endeavors included personal pilot, charter boat captain, and barber. But the career he most enjoyed was trucking, making many friends along the road over coffee and sampling delicacies that he brought home for friends and family to try. Donald was known for his generosity, taking in and feeding strangers and friends alike, and donating to worthy causes. In his final years he became quite the cook, mastering the art of making chili and creamed cucumbers, was an enthusiast of spaghetti dinners and cheering on the lady Saints basketball team.
Donald is survived by his daughters, Sherry Grondin of Burton, Michigan, Darcy Lichlyter, St Ignace, Michigan, Vicki (Mike) Hough of St Ignace, Michigan, and Jeanie (Michael) Glynn of Midland, Michigan.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Diane Frankovich, brothers; Edward, Vernon, Wallace, and Alan Frankovich, and grandchildren Alicia Grondin and Kenneth J. Grondin.
Visitation will be held on July 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace, Michigan, with Mass at 1:00 PM and a luncheon and burial to follow.
Final Resting Place will be at the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Cemetery in St. Ignace, Michigan.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
