Donald Brent Burdick, age 72 of BELLEVUE, MI passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital with his daughter Christine at his side. He was born November 11, 1947 at Leila Y. Post Montgomery Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan to Donald Buell Burdick and Sonia (Horosko) Burdick.
In 1965 he graduated from Oceanside High School in Oceanside, California. After graduation he returned to the Battle Creek area and worked as an ambulance service driver. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Army where he studied Basic and Advanced Clinical Laboratory Science and held an Associates in Science degree from Baylor University. While serving in the Army, he worked as a Medical Lab Specialist and an X-ray Specialist at a number of base hospitals, both in the states and overseas. During his service time he received a National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Rifle M-16 Marksman Badge, and Good Conduct Medal (4th Awd). He later received a commercial truck driving license and drove long hauls in his school bus yellow Kenworth Sleeper with his dog Molley.
Over the years he partook in multiple hobbies including flying small aircrafts, playing guitar, fishing, song writing, staying active in politics, riding his motorcycle, and writing and drawing cartoons for the local papers. He is survived by his daughters Christine (Burdick) VanBruggen, Sarah Burdick, and Rebecca (Burdick) Olson; his sister Nancy (Burdick) Maguire and brother Paul Burdick; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents Donald and Sonia Burdick, son Matthew Brent Burdick, granddaughter Kayla Crespi, brother John Oliver Burdick, and his faithful companion Molley (a.k.a. Grandpa’s Dog).
Per Donald’s last wishes cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be planned at a later date. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005