Donald M. Edens Jr.

Donald M. “Donnie” Edens, Jr., 70, of Kingsford, passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI. Donnie was born on September 29, 1945 in Norway, MI, the eldest son of Donald Sr. and Dorothy (Marchetti) Edens. He attended the American Martyrs Parochial School until the eighth grade then went to Kingsford High School, graduating with the Class of 1963. While in high school, Donnie was a Flivver star athlete, playing varsity football as a sophomore, becoming team captain, and lettering in basketball, baseball, football and track. He was an All U.P. Running Back of the Year and was a first team All-State Football selection. In track he was a renowned “dash man” and relay runner, being on a record breaking relay team when KHS was first in the U.P. meet at Marquette in 1963. Donnie was offered college scholarships in football and baseball and choose to attend Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Donnie married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Person, on August 27, 1966 at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. They celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage and are the proud parents of two sons, one daughter-in-law, and two beautiful granddaughters which were the “apples of grandpa’s eye”. Don’s passion, after family and God, was sports. He taught in Goodman, WI, at Kingsford Middle School where he became Vice Principal and at Kingsford High School where he served as an administrator and the Athletic Director. Throughout his career, Don continued his education, eventually obtaining his Master’s Degree in Administration. Don coached varsity football, basketball & track and Babe Ruth Baseball. Don’s other activities throughout life included boy scouts, being an altar boy, Eucharistic minister and lector at American Martyrs Church, and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, and the Elks Club. He was inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame. Don especially enjoyed spending time at camp with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Pam; two sons, Steven Philip (Tracey) Edens and Mark Donald Edens; granddaughters, Kirstin Mackenzie and Madison Elizabeth; his parents Donald and Dorothy Edens; sisters, Mary (Donald) Lee and Sally Klingelhutz; brothers, Mark (Val) Edens and Bill (LuAnn) Edens and a sister-in-law, Diane Person Schumacher. Don is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Philip Person and a brother-in-law and cribbage partner, Rick Klingelhutz. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be held on Friday at11:00am at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be Chris Hofer, Dan Short, Doug Roberts, Andy Wiltzius, Bob Usitalo, Terry Brown, Dick Berlinski, Roy Brown, Dan Flynn and Dwight, Pat & Mike Romagnoli. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger LeDuc, Carl Lemin, Dick Maule, Roger Scott & Bob Gianunzio. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Donald Edens, Jr. online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Donald M. Edens Jr.

September 29, 1945 - December 15, 2015