Donald Frederick Bellinger

Donald F. Bellinger, age 90, of Kalkaska, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on November 4, 2025, at Kalkaska Memorial Long Term Memory Care. He was born at home on November 28, 1934, to Orrin and Rena (Byers) Bellinger in Kalkaska, Michigan. Don was never one to sit for too long. Even as a young boy, he found ways to work, use his hands, and learn from those around him. He graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1953. His academic achievements earned him a full-ride scholarship to the University of Michigan. Knowing in his heart that the classroom environment was not where he flourished, he tossed his scholarship papers over the bow of the Great Lakes ore freighter, J. Pierpont Morgan, and never looked back.
Don began work as a road and bridge surveyor for the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1953. He loved the outdoors, so this job suited him well. In 1955, Don was drafted into the Army where he proudly served his country for two years. He rejoined his surveying crew in 1957. Traveling all over the state in his 35-year career, he helped blaze the way for many of the roads we drive on today and made countless lifelong memories and friends along the way.
He is survived by his devoted wife and love of his life, Peggy Ann (Jacobson). They were married on January 21, 1956, at Peoples Church in Kalkaska. They enjoyed 69 wonderful years of marriage and raised four beautiful children in the house that his grandparents built. In addition to Peggy, Don is survived by his three daughters Kathy (Keith) Campbell, Cheryl (Dale) Dorvinen, Pam (Steven) Hinds, and son, Dan (Julie); 12 grandchildren, Ian, Courtney (Matt), Jordan, Aaron (Christa), Zach (Whitney), Cody (April), Tate, Christian (Lydia), Jack (Isabelle), William (Emily), Elizabeth, and Aidan; seven great-grandchildren Kora, Haley, Orrin, Norah, Addie, Amélie, and Joe; sister, Mary Bigelow; sister-in-law, Nancy Johnson and brother-in-law, Bernie Jacobson; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Clarence Jacobson, Ethel (Jacobson) McKee, and Marshall McKee; brother David Bellinger; brothers-in-law Ron Johnson and Patrick Bigelow; and sister-in-law Hilda Jacobson.
Don loved history, doing things for others, tinkering on his Model A, sharing a cup of coffee with friends, deer hunting, but most of all he loved his family. He was a proud member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a local historian, and Director of the Kalkaska Historical Museum.
Visitation will be at noon followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Kalkaska Funeral Home, 152 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Graveside service with military honors at Kalkaska Evergreen Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at Peoples Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peoples Church, 216 S Cherry St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 or Heartland Hospice, 400 Eastern Sky Dr STE 2, Traverse City, MI 48684.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at kalkaskafuneralhome.com for the Bellinger family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home.