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of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Cadillac, MI, age 92, died peacefully on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at his home. He was born February 21, 1931 in Cadillac, MI, the son of Alfred C. & Mary Belle (Lanning) Lamphere.  

Don graduated from Cadillac High School in 1948. He served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952-54. Don attended Central Michigan College, where he obtained his Bachelors (1958) and Masters degrees (1962). He was a teacher and Principal at Suttons Bay and Cadillac Area Schools. Don was an active member of Temple Hill Baptist church in Cadillac, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, deacon, mission boards, building committee, and as a pastor of a mission church. Since 2017, he attended Chelsea Church of the Nazarene. He was also involved in Gideons International for more than 40 years. Don and Hilma enjoyed wintering in Mercedes, TX from 1991 to 2015.

On February 2, 1951, he married Hilma Eleanor Finstrom in Cadillac and she survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Bobbi Moomey of Cadillac, Peggi (Tim) Bontekoe of Orlando, FL, Ginni (Mike) O'Quinn of Chelsea; one son, Kedon (Joy) Lamphere of Muskegon; two sisters, Beverly Thomsen, Yvonne (Jay) Thiebaut; 11 grandchildren, Stephen (Hillary), Nathanael, Samuel (Hannah), Gabriel; Sima; Elya (Aaron), Veronika, K.Izaak; Sean (Jade), Ryan (Natasha), Karissa (Ben); 2 step-granddaughters, Samantha, Jennifer; 11 great-grandchildren; a step-great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marjorie Taylor-LaRoche, Wilma McIntyre, Janet Mackey, Judy Geeseman; his brothers, Robert Lamphere and Gordon Lamphere; and a granddaughter-in-law, Donelle Butler.

Don's memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, 11:00 am at the Chelsea Church of the Nazarene, 12126 Jackson Rd, Dexter, MI 48130, with Rev. Jeff Crowder officiating.  The family greeted people from 10-11 am on the day of the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 or CRU, PO Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862-8222 (account #0257347 in memo). Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. 

Click here for the live feed on the church Facebook page (includes slideshow before service) 

Click here for the live feed on Youtube

Click here to watch the video of Don's service.


You may use the form below to share a memory or leave a message for Don's family. Please allow up to 24 hours for us to review & post your message. 

Comments  

#7 JUDY OLNEY DURHAM 2023-12-18 21:26
My parents lived next door to the Lamphere family with my Grandma Mitchell when first moving to Cadillac. My brother Tom and I spent many years playing with Vonnie, Janet and Gordie outside and in their home. Don was a friend of my brother Dick Olney and was always very kind to us noisy little kids. My sincere condolences to Hilma and all his family. Judy Durham, Redondo Beach, CA
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#6 Helen Mackey Lehman 2023-12-18 07:11
Sorry to hear of your loss. We know our Aunt Jan will greet him when he joins her in heaven. Prayers for all of you.
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#5 Helen Mackey Lehman 2023-12-15 19:03
Hilma, Kedon and family.....sorr y to hear of your loss. He was a great guy. He will celebrate Christmas in heaven with Aunt Jan, but I am sure it is a great loss for all of you. Know that I have you all in prayer. Please let your Aunt Bev know we include her in those prayers as well. Warm hugs to all of you.
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#4 Bonnie Danzeisen 2023-12-15 12:52
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Hilma.
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#3 Barbara Krichbaum 2023-12-13 12:39
Ginni
I’m sorry to hear of your Dads passing.
Love and many hugs to you
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#2 Bonnie Alworden 2023-12-10 19:05
Don and Hilma played an important role in my life. I miss his hugs.
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#1 Wayne Arnold 2023-12-09 21:43
He was my memorable 6th grade teacher at Cass school in 1961. Rest in peace.
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