Donald B. "Don" Myers

Donald B. "Don" Myers, 94, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Provision Living. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 9, at 10 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. There will be a Veteran's Burial at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville. A luncheon will follow at Starks & Menchinger immediately after the burial. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore High School – Science Department. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Don was born on January 2, 1931, in Benton Harbor, to Chester and Madie (Hingst) Myers. He graduated from Coloma High School in 1948 and went on to attend Ferris State University, where he pursued a degree in chemistry and played football. While in college, Don proudly served his country, enlisting in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. After his service, he returned to Ferris State to complete his bachelor's degree.

On July 21, 1962, Don married the love of his life, Phyllis Joostberns. They raised two boys and spent many years traveling the United States and abroad. His love for learning and passion for helping others led him back to college, where he earned a master's degree in education from Michigan State University in 1973.

Don found his calling as an educator and spent several years teaching in Saugatuck before relocating to Stevensville, where he became a beloved teacher of physics, physical science, and chemistry at Lakeshore High School from 1962 to 1993. He also risked his life each summer providing Driver's Training to young adults.

Outside the classroom, Don had a lifelong love for cars-especially Fords. He was the founder of the Southwest Michigan Car Club, serving as president for eight years. Over the years, he owned an impressive collection of vehicles, including Model A's, Thunderbirds, and Mustangs-at one time owning as many as 16 cars. He had the unique ability to be able to fix anything…this mentality provided him with many opportunities only constrained by the amount of space he had to store them (and Phyllis…)

His love for his family was demonstrated consistently over the years by spending quality time with his children and grandchildren. He loved the annual trips to the Auburn Auto Auction with his son Doug and his grandson Ryan. Don and Phyllis also had a tradition of taking the grandkids to the Berrien County Youth Fair every summer. He attended countless sporting events during his life cheering on Doug and Jeff's athletic activities and later his grandchildren Cooper and Zoe's athletics, whether it be football, basketball, volleyball, track or soccer. Rain or shine, he would be in the stands with his Saugatuck hoodie, fedora and Snickers bar. He is remembered for his love of chocolate, especially ice cream. His kind, patient demeanor and positiveness made him not only a great educator but a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Don will be remembered for his love for his family, his dedication to teaching, his service to his country, his deep-rooted passion for classic cars, and the many lives he touched throughout his life.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Phyllis; sons, Doug (Kim) Myers of Caledonia and Jeff (Heather) Myers of Saugatuck; grandchildren, Ryan (Fawn) Myers, Kellie (Brett) Zammitt, Cooper (Olivia) Myers, and Zoe Myers; great-grandchildren, Beckham, Decker, Morgan and Byron; and brother, Robert Myers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester & Madie; infant great-grandchild, Monroe; and sister-in-law, Joyce Myers.