Donald "Don" Karle

Donald “Don” Karle, 77, of Caseville passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Bay Shores Senior Care in Bay City. Don was born on December 24, 1948, in Pigeon, Michigan to the late Peter Sr. and Mary (Canter) Karle and was a 1967 graduate of Laker High School. After graduation, Don volunteered for the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge as a Sergeant in 1969. After his time in the Army, Don went to work in the cement plant of Caseville Lumber where he learned masonry, then began working in carpentry and construction. He worked with his cousin Louie Karle, then with Mark Wolford, before retiring. Don married Kathryn Knaus on May 31, 1969, and the couple spent over 56 years together. She survives him. Don stayed active in his free time hunting, fishing and trapping. He played baseball in his younger years and enjoyed bowling, playing pool, Euchre, and club Keno, and loved jigsaw puzzles. Don is remembered as being ornery at times but fiercely proud of his family and giving with his time and skills. He loved his girls, sons-in-law, and grandkids, and thought raising his family was the best thing he ever did.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Karle; children, Vicky (Scott) Pobanz and Wendy (Ryan) Donlan; grandchildren, Michael (Abby) Pobanz, Nathan Pobanz, Sean Donlan, and Katelyn Donlan; and siblings, Rose (Harry) Kelly, Pete (Ella) Karle, Jr., Edna Adams, and Norma Jaskowski; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, and his beloved cat Toots.

Don was preceded in death by sister, Marie Rachuba; and brothers-in-law, Patrick Adams, Theodore Jaskowski, and Barry Rachuba.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Heartland Hospice and Bay Shores Senior Care for their loving care of Don.

A funeral service for Don will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Ransford Funeral Home – Pigeon 7356 West Michigan Ave, Pigeon, MI, with Pastor Karen Bouverette presiding. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, with burial to follow at St. Roch Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association in Michigan or the Wounded Warriors Project.