Donald Schooley

Donald R. Schooley, age 91, of Grand Rapids, passed away at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on Sunday, January 3, 2016. The son of Clyde & Verna (Conlon) Schooley, he was born January 11, 1924. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Don served during World War II. Prior to his retirement, he owned and operated Donalco Trucking Company, a freight transport company. Don had many and varied interests and enjoyments during his lifetime including politics, reading, healthy living, dancing, using his computer and playing pool with friends at the senior community center. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lois; second wife, Alberta; step-children, Judy Kennedy and Jack Batchelder; sister, Doris VanBuskirk; brothers-in-law, Orwin VanBuskirk and Raymond Blaszak; and nephew, Timothy Blaszak. Surviving are his daughter, Pamela Picazo to whom he was devoted; grandsons, Andrew and Matthew Picazo, all of California; sister, Marjorie Blaszak; nieces and nephew, Sherry Marckini, Cathy Kelly, and Gary VanBuskirk; along with several great nieces and nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank the staff of 2Blue and 2Red at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans for the excellent care they provided Don during the past 2 years. Special thanks to staff member Noah Hauke with whom Don found a special bond and to cousin, Linda Stewart Conlon, for the invaluable support of time, attention and knowledge she provided to Don for the past two years . Arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Car To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Schooley, please visit our flower store.