On Thursday, March 21, 2019, Don Wohlin transitioned from his earthly to his heavenly home at age 92. Don was born in Racine, Wisconsin to Carl and Gertrude Wohlin. He attended St. Johns Lutheran School and Horlick High School in Racine.
At 17 years of age, he enlisted in the Navy. His specialty was Aviation Machinist and was assigned the V6 Combat Air Crew; he was stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After leaving the service, Don enrolled in photography classes at Layton School of Art which he enjoyed his entire life.
At the Milwaukee School of Engineering, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Don moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and worked as a sales rep for two firms in West Michigan. With that experience behind him, he established D/C Machinery Sales in the state of Ohio.
His line of machines were utilized to machine plastic injection molds, rubber molds, and sheet metal stamping dies. While still living in Grand Rapids, Don earned his private pilots license. He loved flying and earned his multi-engine rating while living in Ohio.
He owned several aircraft and he and his wife (also a pilot) were fortunate to spend many hours in the air. They also enjoyed traveling and their many trips included Italy (for business and pleasure), The Netherlands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Alaska and a lot of the lower 48. He joined the MAPS (Military Aviation Preservation Society) in Canton, Ohio in 1994 and enjoyed working on many different military aircraft there.
He was elected to the chairmanship and served six years. After 27 years of sales, Don retired to his lakeshore home in Malvern, Ohio. He enjoyed fishing, upgrading his home and spending quality time with his two young grandsons.
In 2014 when his daughter and family moved to Holly, Michigan, it was time to make the move to Spring Lake, MI (his wife’s hometown) to be close to both his children and grandchildren. Don will be deeply missed by his wife of 47 years V. Gaye (Wiegert), two children, Cary (Michelle) Wohlin of Rockford, MI. and Julie (Duane) Heine of Holly, MI.
, six grandchildren, Kelli (Sean) Carlson, Linsey (Josh) Pierce, Zane and Luke Haser and Isabella and Edward Heine, and three great grandchildren, Jonah and Laney Carlson and Crosby Pierce, sisters-in-law Lenore (Bernie) McDonald, and Dorlene Wohlin Stephenson, brother-in-law Glenn (Margaret) Wiegert and many nieces and nephews plus his special lifelong friend, Howard Dahlstrom of Oklahoma City. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Gertrude Wohlin, wife, Rose (Tashoff) Wohlin, and brother Howard. Don has been a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Spring Lake since 2014.
A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew, 15395 Rannes Street on Thursday, March 28 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon following. A family burial in Spring Lake Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please.
consider donations to St. Matthew organ fund, or MAPS Air Museum, 2260 International Parkway, North Canton, OH 44720. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www. sytsemafh.com.
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