Donald Bade

Donald “Sy” E. Bade, age (88), of Rogers City
passed away peacefully on September 11, 2017,
at MediLodge of Hillman after an extended illness.

Don was born to Elmer and Edith Bade
on August 1, 1929, in Rogers City, MI

He graduated from Rogers City High School in 1947 after many run-ins
with Mr. Harry Grambau for skipping school to go fishing. He always
looked forward to summer vacation when he could stay at the family farm
in Moltke,

After high school, Don spent some time sailing
the great lakes, worked for Firestone and then
for Chevrolet Gear and Axel. When there was talk
of the draft, Don chose to enlist in the
U.S. Air Force and then decided to stay in for
22 years “to see the world”. He was very proud
of his military service and always had interesting
stories to share. During his military career he
served in Europe during the occupation after
WWII and was also stationed in the Philippines
and Vietnam.

Upon Don’s retirement from the Air Force in 1972, he was living in
Klamath Falls, Oregon. Shortly after retirement, he moved back to his
boyhood home of Rogers City and Moltke where he met the love of his
life, Darlene. He worked in the woods until he obtained a job once again
sailing on the Great Lakes, After two years of sailing, he became a bus
driver for the Rogers City schools for 13 years, He enjoyed the students
he met on his route, many of whom he still remembered and they him

Don’s interests were fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking, and a
good game of spitzer. He often told tales of his fishing trips with his
childhood friends and then later fishing the rivers of Oregon and
Colorado, and the inland lakes of northern lower Michigan. Foremost, he
loved his family and had a huge heart where they were concerned,

Don was a member of VFW Post 607 where he served as a past commander,
bar manager and chaplain; the Rogers City Servicemen’s Club, and
Immanuel Lutheran Church of Moltke.

Don is survived by:
his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Dave Hilla,
two grandsons, Samuel (Stephanie) and Kristopher (Rachel) Hilla,
sister-in-law, Linda Felax, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by:
his wife Darlene in 2014,
his sister, Ann Ruell, as well as his parents

Family and friends may gather to celebrate Don’s life at the Beck Funeral
Home on Friday, September 29th from 2:00 p.m. through time of service
at 3:00 p.m, with Rev. Charles Schultz officiating, Rogers City VFW
Post 607 will accord military honors immediately following.