CEDAR — Donald Darga, 90, of Cedar, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Donald was born on January 17, 1934, in Centerville Township, the son of Frank and Katherine (Osga) Darga, a blonde-haired child that didn’t get his first haircut until well into his toddler years. On July 1, 1961, at the Immaculate Conception Church of Traverse City, he married Patricia M. Plank, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage before her passing on June 9, 2022. Don attended school until the 9th grade and afterwards had to work to help the family. He was drafted into the US Army, then joined the United States Marine Corps where he served his country honorably during the Korean War. Don said that he was the first in Leelanau County to enlist for the Korean War effort. After serving in the USMC he returned home and met his dearest Patricia at a Holy Rosary Church chicken dinner. Pat and Don moved to California and when the family grew from zero kids to two kids; they moved back to Leelanau County because he wanted to be a farmer. On January 1st, 1972, he started construction on the family home and moved his family into a completed house in April of that year.

Don treasured and deeply loved his grandchildren. He loved to play with them and play jokes on them when he “popped” his teeth out to startle them! He was a man of strong convictions with a cornerstone of faith, family and country.

Don was a big time storyteller, he wouldn’t just tell stories of his youth, work at Cone Drive, tall tales, fishing trips and what not – he would hold “court” while telling stories!

The family expresses their deepest thanks to the staff of Bayside Wellness Hospice for their compassion and care of our dearest Don.

Donald is survived by his two daughters, Brenda (Gary) Gibson and Christine Core; a sister, Alice Karkutt; his cherished grandchildren, Danielle ( Jeff Breuhan) Newman, Nicole (Brette) Rahe, Katy ( Justin) Wheelock, Joshua Core, Mitchell (Samantha) Core, and Kurt Core; and six greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Patricia; his five brothers, Ed, Phil, Clarence, Ray and Leonard Darga, a brotherin- law, Ronald “Butch” Karkutt and his son, Dale Darga.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Maple City. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar. Father Kenneth Stachnik will serve as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Rita’s Catholic Church, PO Box 75, Maple City, 49664 and/or VFW Post 7731, PO Box 262, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.