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Image of CE2 Don Merritt Strohpaul

CE2 Don Merritt Strohpaul

PO2/CE2

Date of birth 03/01/1931
Date of passing 04/05/2024

Don Merritt Strohpaul, age 93 of Newaygo, passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, April 5, 2024 at his home. He was born on March 1, 1931 in Oscoda Township, Michigan to John Merritt & Hazel Marjorie (Lindberg) Strohpaul. Don was a proud US Navy Seabee Veteran of the Korean War, and was a member of the Newaygo VFW Post #4249. He was a member of the IBEW Local Union 876 since 1949, and he had been a lineman for O & A Electric for 37 years until his retirement in 1993. Don was the Garfield Township Electrical Inspector from 1975-2022, he also served as the Newaygo County Electrical Inspector, and was an advisor for the building & trades program at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center. He was part owner of North Country Inspection Services, and he was a member of Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ. He was the Boy Scout leader for Troop 135 in Newaygo for 25 years and for his service, he was a Silver Beaver recipient. Don was an outdoor enthusiast, and he enjoyed storytelling, woodworking, tying knots, and teaching his grandchildren how to fold the United States flag. On June 10, 1989 he married Miriam Sterk Scott and she survives him along with 1 daughter, Susan (Don) Cornell of Newaygo; 2 step-sons: Daniel (Sheri) Scott of Hudsonville, Brian (Pamela) Scott of Portage; daughter-in-law, Laura (Peter) Jackson of Grand Haven; 7 grandchildren & 8 great-grandchildren: Kate (Brad) VanWyck & their children James, Harrison, & Lucy; Christine (Felix) Cornell Mendoza & their children Christopher Merritt, Natalie, & Kaylee; Lee Merritt Jackson; Kelsi (Dave) Harthy & their son Otis; Dale Jackson; Kyle Scott; Chad (Brittany) Scott & their daughter Lila. He is also survived by his special niece & her husband, Jane (Wayne “Newt”) Porter of Fremont. Don was preceded in death by his son, Max Merritt Strohpaul; by his sister & her husband, Doris & Max Purcell; by his parents; and by his nephew, Tim Purcell. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ with Pastor Jonathan Riedel officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the US Navy at the conclusion of the service at church, and then a luncheon will follow. There will also be a time of visiting with the family at the church prior to the service, from 9:30-11:30 AM on Saturday. Family only interment will be in Garfield Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the North Country Trail Association, 229 E. Main St., Lowell, MI 49331 or Newaygo Congregational United Church of Christ. You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com. Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.
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