Donald Birkmeier Donald Eugene Birkmeier, 74, of Cedarville, was a U.S. Army veteran who went on to a career in electrical engineering. Mr. Birkmeier died Sunday, December 27, 2009, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie.

He was born March 21, 1935, in Delphos, Ohio, to Carl Alexander and Mary Evelyn (nee Alexander) Birkmeier.

Mr. Birkmeier grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio Northern University before serving in the United States Army from 1957 to 1960. After his military service, he returned to Ohio Northern to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

He worked as an electrical engineer, eventually retiring from General Dynamics, where he taught companies how to build military tanks.

He married Joyce Kathleen Frank November 26, 1982.

He moved to Cedarville in 1994, after purchasing property there in 1989. He had been visiting Cedarville since he was an infant, as his grandparents owned property there.

Mr. Birkmeier was a member of the Les Cheneaux Club of Lions International, the Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club, and the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Hessel. He also was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church.

In addition to his volunteer work, he enjoyed model Lionel trains, golfing, boating, and spending time on his computer.

Mr. Birkmeier is survived by his wife; six daughters and their families, Michele and Larry Bittner of Beaverton, Christine and Tom Bee of Royal Oak, Kim and Dave Thousand of Sanford, Valerie and Norm Valenti of Clawson, Louise and Bradley Holoday of Rochester Hills, and Marybeth and Dan Boyea of Northville; two sons and their families, Steve and Cyndi Birkmeier of Cleveland, Ohio, and Scott and Debra Birkmeier of Lancaster, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. He is also survived by one sister and her family, Barbara Axe of Toledo, Ohio; one brother and his family, John and Char Birkmeier of Delphos, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Thursday, December 31, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon with the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at noon.

Inurnment will be in Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, P.O. Box 273, Cedarville, Michigan 49719 or Les Cheneaux Club of Lions International, P.O. Box 172, Cedarville.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.