Honorable Donald J. Dick
October 27, 1920-September 14, 2006
Donald J. Dick, 85, of Berrien Springs, MI, died Thursday, September 14, 2006, in Lakeland Regional Medical Center following an illness.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2006, in the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, with Rev. Cindy Parsons officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 18, 2006, in Legacy Family Funeral Services-Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs, and sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com. The family graciously requests that memorial contributions in his memory be made to the Berrien County Historical Association, the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church or to the Berrien Springs Community Library.
Donald was born October 27, 1920, in Niles, MI, to Harry and Martha (Jontz) Dick. He was a graduate of Niles High School and later attended Albion College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During his third year of education at Albion, Donald was drafted by the United States Army. He responded to the call for duty and served his country during World War II. Upon his return, Donald entered law school at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1948.
Donald worked as a private practice lawyer in Berrien Springs from 1949 to 1976. In 1976, he was appointed as a Berrien County Probate Court judge, where he served for just over eleven years. Over the years, Donald taught real estate law at Lake Michigan College, worked as the Berrien Springs Village attorney and also as the attorney to the Berrien County Youth Fair.
On May 20, 1951, he married Junice Martin Dick, who preceded him in death. May 27, 2006, he and Junice traveled extensively and enjoyed the many trips they shared together. They traveled Europe, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe. They went on many trips to the northeastern, southern and western parts of the United States and to the Caribbean. The couple loved entertaining and hosted many dinner parties at their home in Berrien Springs.
Donald was a member and past president of the Berrien Springs Eau Claire Rotary club, a member of the Berrien County ISD School Board for a number of years, founder and past president of the Berrien County Historical Society, and was directly involved in the restoration and preservation of the 1839 courthouse square. He was also a member of the Berrien County Youth Fair Board, an active member and past president of the Rolls Royce Club, a member of the Michigan and the American Bar Associations and a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
Don was an avid sportsman who enjoyed big-game hunting and fishing and traveled to Canada, Alaska, Cuba and other interesting places with friends. He enjoyed the restoration of antique cars, photography and gardening. He had a passion for music and the arts. He and Junice participated in The Play Reading Group, where they would read plays together with friends. He loved to read history books and has read nearly every book relating to the life and history of Teddy Roosevelt, one of his personal heroes. He was a charter and board member of the Berrien County Economic Club. Don held season tickets for many years for the Broadway Theatre League and was an avid Notre Dame fan. He had fond memories of attending Notre Dame Football games with family and friends for many years. He had an extensive knowledge of the Civil War and also spent hours researching family genealogy. He was a deputized officer for the Berrien County Sheriff's Dept.
More than anything else, Don and Junice both loved and cherished their family. The memories and experiences that they have shared with their family will be etched in their minds and kept in a special place in their hearts. Don will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his children, Martha Ann (Daniel) Southworth of South Bend, IN, Mary Elizabeth Czarnecki of St. Joseph, MI, William Walton (Carolyn) Dick of Chicago, IL, and Jane Ellen (Bradley) Kerr of Berrien Springs, MI. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and his brother, Wilbur W. Dick of Coloma, MI
In addition to his parents and his wife, Junice, Donald was preceded in death by a brother, George E. Dick.
Submitted by a family member; publication details unknown