Donald Schoof Jr.

Donald Ray Schoof Jr., 66, of Charlevoix, MI, died Friday, February 26 in Florida after being involved in a motorcycle accident.  Don was born in Saginaw County on February 4, 1955, the son of Donald Schoof Sr. and Geraldine (Graham) Schoof, both of whom have predeceased him.

He attended Eisenhower High School in Saginaw and graduated in 1973.  While growing up he spent hours on the farm of his Grandpa Graham, and cousin Ed Watson’s farm in Hemlock.  During that time, he developed an enduring interest in tractors, trucks, and all things motorized.

He met Linda (Snyder) Adams in 1982 and moved north to Charlevoix that year.  They married in 1986.

A man of many talents, Don worked in construction, installed overhead doors, worked on a dairy farm, and in excavating, all while working with Linda to build their own house and raise two children.  He eventually settled into his favorite job of truck driver.  He drove locally for Swanson’s K&D and Manthei Development before switching to long haul driving for East Jordan Plastics, where he worked until retiring in 2018.

His favorite past-times included NASCAR, deer hunting, target shooting, and motorsports of all kinds.  Whether snowmobiling all over Northern Michigan and the U.P., back trail exploring with his ATV, working his 40 acres with a variety of old tractors, or crisscrossing the state and beyond on a motorcycle, Don was always happiest around horsepower.

In his later years Don was very active in Veterans support motorcycle groups including Forgotten Eagles and Chosen Riders.  With a long white beard and hair he reveled in playing Santa Claus at Christmas parties, both public and private, over the past several years.  He made friends of all ages wherever he went, and most recently in Florida while vacationing there the past three winters.  Spending time in Florida allowed him to pursue his passion for motorcycling with friends, even during winter.

He is survived by his wife Linda, their children William (Genevieve) Schoof of Rochester, NY, and Laura Schoof of Charlevoix, as well as children from a previous marriage, Carson and Sara.  He was an adoring grandpa to the light of his life, William’s son, Michael “Mikey”.  He also leaves behind sisters Sandy (Dick) Schneider and Marsha (Denny) Lucht along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He will be sorely missed by his close friends, Ralph Corwin and Curt Meixsell, other friends too numerous to count, and his beloved dog, Harley.

A memorial celebration of Don’s life will be held in Charlevoix later this summer at a place and time to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made in Don’s name to the Charlevoix Area Humane Society, 614 Beardsley St., Boyne City, MI 49712 or Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans, 750 Mary Ln., Harrison, MI 48625.

Arrangements are in the care of the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com