Donald James Ingersoll

INGERSOLL - Donald James Ingersoll, 93, of Portage, died Saturday, August 30, 2014. Donald was born on May 3, 1921 in Kalamazoo Michigan. Youngest of two children, he was the son of Albert Clayton Ingersoll and Anna Mae Abbott. He was raised in Portage, and graduated from Portage Agricultural High School in 1941. Donald joined the Army Air Corps in August of 1942, and served as a B-25 flight instructor. He married Gracie May Gantt, in Amarillo Texas on September 4, 1945, who preceded him in death on March 25, 2000. After the war, the couple returned to Portage, where Donald worked as an auto mechanic, race car driver and owned his own garage. In 1950, Donald started his career at the Upjohn Company. He retired in 1980 as the Assistant Department Head of Transportation Services. Donald was a life time member of Portage-Brady Lodge #340 F&AM, the Valley of Grand Rapids Scottish Rite, and Saladin Shrine. Donald is survived by his sons, Dennis R. (Gloria) of Emery, SD and Curt D. (Cheryl) of Scotts, MI three grand children and seven great grand children. His sister, Winifred Joy Beveridge, preceded him in death on October 2, 1980. Graveside services will be held Wednesday Sept. 17, at 11:00 am at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation.