VRHEL, Donald
Kalamazoo

Age 86, passed away on March 25, 2023. Don was born in Decatur, Michigan, on October 17, 1936, the son of the late Anthony and Julia (Thomas) Vrhel. He graduated from Decatur High School and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Don worked for Eaton Corporation, James River and Jarvis Pemco before retiring in 2002. He served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957, part of that time being stationed in Germany. Don had a hobby of buying and restoring old machinery. He had an inventive mind and a walk around his house would reveal one design after another that would in some way make life easier. He enjoyed making things with his lathe and welding. Don also enjoyed hunting, camping, his black Labrador Retrievers, going to the shooting range, watching old movies and learning to use his computer. He especially loved his grandchildren and watching them work with his tools, shoot his crossbow, and drive his tractors. Don also loved to visit Washington state and was a life member of the NRA. On April 4, 1981, he married Josephine “Josie” Badalamenti, who preceded him in death on July 9, 2007. Don was also preceded in death by his daughter, Diane, and brothers, Anthony “Tony,” Robert “Bob,” and Thomas “Tom”. He is survived by his son, Michael (Stephanie Hibner) Vrhel; grandchildren who affectionately called him “Papa Don,” Ethan and Alden Vrhel; brother, Jim (June) Vrhel and sister, Joan (Tony) Badalamenti. A graveside service with full military honors will take place at Harrison Cemetery in Decatur, Michigan, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM. Photos from Don’s life are available at www.tinyurl.com/donvrhel. Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries.