Donald Lee Carpenter

1950 - 2021

Donald Lee Carpenter
Donald Lee Carpenter, age 71, Unionville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 5, 2021.
Don was born in Pigeon on March 1, 1950 to Milford and Grace (Beck) Carpenter. He married Jean Bates on January 25, 1975 at Kilmanagh United Methodist Church.
Don owned and operated D&J Garage and Towing in Unionville, MI for nearly 38 years. His passion for wrenching on vehicles granted him the opportunity to build lasting relationships with an entire community. He passed down the shop to his children who are proud to honor his legacy.
Don was loved by so many. He nearly always had visitors at the "Rat Cave" where he was prepared to welcome you with a cold beer and open conversation. Driving past his home, you could expect to see Don sitting in his rocking chair at the "Cave" with an American flag nearby and his AR on his lap. If you were lucky enough to know him, you knew Don was passionate about protecting those he loved, being an American, and living the Second Amendment.
Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was fiercely devoted to his family and friends and touched so many lives within and beyond his community. He was an active member of the Stromberg Car Club, hosted the annual Unionville Summerfest Car and Bike Show, and raised funds yearly for donation to the Helping Hannah's Heart Foundation which assisted infants and children with congenital heart defects.
Throughout his lifetime, Don was an avid hunter and fisherman, and an overall outdoorsman. He enjoyed stockcar racing, rebuilding cars, spending summers with his family at Duggan's Campground, and coaching his son's little league team. Don also enjoyed motorcycles and traveled on numerous road trips with his wife, kids, and the rest of his motorcycle family. His more recent passion was building and restoring old vehicles and sharing his love of classic hot rods with his grandkids.
Don's door was always open, no matter who you were.
Don is survived by his wife, Jean; children: Joshua (Melissa) Carpenter, Jessica Carpenter and Jacob (Laura) Carpenter; grandchildren: Nathan "Hank", Grace Marie, Lilly Jean, Lucas James, Levi Morgan and Isaac Donald; sister, Joan (Vern) Tyree; and mother-in-law, Doris Bates; sister-in-law, Janet (Dennis) Briolat; nieces/nephews: Karen (Doug) Parlberg, Jason Skirlo (Crystal Scott), Katie Skirlo (Cody Ostrander), Clark Harner (Julia Sturm), and Jeff (Marissa) Harner; several great nieces/nephews; and so many friends.
Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, Milford and Grace Carpenter; and father-in-law, Clifford Bates.
The visitation and service will be on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Juengel-Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Visitation will be from 2:30pm-6pm with a service at 6pm. Justin Kuhl will be officiating. A celebration of his life will also take place at the Unionville Summerfest Car Show on July 17, 2021 at the Unionville Park.
Memorial donations may be given to Helping Hannah's Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 1733 Bettendorf, IA 52722
Share a memory at www.jmfuneralhome.com