Donald D. Allison, age 92, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away on August 31, 2022. He was born on August 22, 1930, to the proud parents of Harold and Gladys Allison. Donald was the beloved husband of the late Shirley Allison for 65 years. He is the loving father to Barbara (Bruce) Hoenle, Geoffrey (Jean Sukis-Allison) Allison, and Beth Allison Flannery. Donald is the cherished grandpa to Brian (Noelle) Hoenle, Patrick (Katie) Hoenle, and Carley Allison. He is the great grandfather to Luke Hoenle, Lilly Hoenle and Aidan Hoenle. Donald is the dear brother to Gordon (Emily) Allison and brother in law to Donald (Judy) Mullens. Donald will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Donald was born and raised in Baldwin, Michigan. It was there that he met the love of his life, the “new girl in school”, Shirley. Shirley bumped Donald out of the valedictorian spot in their grade, and so to get even with her, he married her. They began dating at the age of 15 and continued for the next 75 years.
Donald graduated from Baldwin High School in 1948 and continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned a degree in business administration. He worked in accounting for General Motors for a brief time after graduating, but soon found his true calling as a teacher. He returned to college, obtained a master’s degree (the first of several), and started teaching in the Baldwin school district. He taught classes and coached athletics there for several years before moving his growing family to teach and coach at South Lake Schools in St. Clair Shores. He taught high school history, civics, economics, and photography there for about 30 years before retiring in 1991. Though retired, he was a true teacher for the rest of his life to those who knew him.
Prior to retirement, Donald and Shirley started traveling the world, one country at a time, during his summer breaks. After his retirement, they were able to travel a bit more. All told, they visited over 40 countries throughout the world, and made long-lasting friends in the process.
One of Donald’s favorite pastimes was watching Michigan State University football and basketball. He and Shirley were football season ticket holders for 25 years and enjoyed socializing with their fellow fans during the games.
Donald enjoyed golfing with his colleagues and friends in summer leagues for many years. He also enjoyed socializing on the 19th hole.
Donald was a member of an informal Monday-morning breakfast club where some of his former colleagues from South Lake Schools would gather each week to catch up and solve the world’s problems. He also enjoyed attending regular meetings with the state and local chapters of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP). He was a past president and a membership chairman of the local group, and he received a Distinguished Service Award from that organization in 2016.
Donald was a proud grandfather to three. He enjoyed each stage watching them grow up, from attending sporting events and school functions to seeing them start lives of their own. He was also a great-grandfather to three and was delighted to see those “little people” as often as he could.
Donald will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his family and his wide circle of friends and former colleagues, and many of his prior students.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Visitation will be held on Thursday September 8, 2022, at Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Burial will take place at Pleasant Plains Township Cemetery in Baldwin, Michigan at a later date.
