Donald L. Ranger

After a long hard battle, Donald L. Ranger died on April 24, 2025. A quiet hardworking man, he loved his family, his dogs, and hunting with one of his hunting buddies or his kids. He loved spending time outside and living in Alcona County. And later in life taking his wife to the casino. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Don was born May 20, 1942, to Nicholas Ranger and Helen (Lessard) Ranger on the family farm on Ritchie Road, Lincoln, Michigan. He married Erlene Derry on January 25, 1964, at St. Catherines Church, Ossineke Michigan. He leaves behind, his wife Erlene and 4 children Donald (Kim) Ranger, Cynthia Ranger, Lisa (Ray) Chippewa and Wesley (Patti) Ranger; Seven Grandchildren, Natalie (Donald) Fedrigon, Nicholas (Angela) Ranger, Ryan Witten, Karl Witten, Nathan Wensel, Mikayla Ranger and Wyatt Ranger, three Great Grandchildren, Amelia Ranger, and Henry and Audrey Fedrigon, and in laws Nancy (Ed) Hier, Jennifer (John) Sample, Deb (Ken) Rhodes, Lori (Bill) Boucher, Rick Derry, Jeff Derry, Mary Derry, and multiple nieces and nephews.

The youngest of 10 children, He is survived by a sister Virgeline Smith, He is preceded in death by brothers Lloyd, Robert, Dale and sisters Beatrice Wojnar, Norma Williams, Christine Cole, Margaret Zingaro and Helen Skiver, brothers-in-law, Stanley Wojnar, Bill Williams, Bob Cole, Harold Skiver, Joe Smith, Rocky Derry and Craig Derry.

Graduating from Alcona High School in 1960, he joined the Army. After basic training at Fort Knox, he was stationed in Germany assigned to the 3rd Armored Division as a tank driver. Don completed the 3rd Armored Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, with the rank of Sargent, at the time, he was the youngest enlisted man to achieve this honor. He was then assigned to the 3rd Armored Davy Crockett Unit, the smallest nuclear weapon in the hands of the troops as a forward observer. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1963 he returned home to Alcona County. After completing the Machine Tool Program at Alpena Community College, Don worked in that field until his retirement.

Don was a proud veteran, a member of the Northeastern Michigan Houndsmen Association, loved his trips to Alaska and was a big fan of the music of Willie Nelson and George Jones.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM until the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Alcona Humane Society.