Durwin Mackey

Durwin Ellsworth Mackey departed this mortal world on March 29, 2018 while at his daughter's home, surrounded by family. He was born to Frank and Leona Mackey in Cadillac, MI on May 18, 1926.

As a farming family, Durwin grew up knowing work was hard but rewarding. He was a lifelong resident of Kingsley, MI. He graduated Validctorian from Kingsley High School class of 1944 where he was active in sports and played trumpet in the school band.

Immediately following high school, Durwin enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained as an Infantry Rifleman. He joined Patton's army in France, Belgium and Germany. He fought in the “Battle of the Bulge” and was wounded in an enemy artillery barrage in the Ardennes Forest. He refused the earned Purple Cross, as it was custom for the Army to contact next-of-kin when the award was made. He didn't want his mother to know he had been injured.

After the war, Durwin met the love of his life, Phyllis Jean Siefert and they wed on April 19, 1948. Durwin and Phyllis raised two cherished daughters, Gwendolyn Ann, who predeceases him in death and Marsha Lou Wasielewski, who survives.

A true entrepreneur, in addition to the farm, Durwin owned the Mackey Service Garage on M-113 for many years, then opened H & M Grocery, a Kingsley mainstay, until he sold the business and “retired.” Retirement for Durwin meant more time tend his gardens and to help family and friends building and remodeling projects. He was a skilled woodworker, carpenter and electrician.

The Mackey family were an adventurist lot visiting 48 states on family vacations, including cross-country RV trips from Florida to Maine and Florida to Alaska. Durwin was a avid sportsman, hunter and fisherman with a trophy buck mount and a record large mouth bass. Numerous hunting trips out west and to Canada were rewarded with pronghorn antelope, mule deer and moose.

Durwin, known as “Chum” to many friends, is survived by Phyllis, Marsha, grandson, Christopher of Cadillac, MI, great-granddaughter Jada and great-great-grandson Noah Ellsworth of Katy, TX; grandson, Adam and granddaughter, Melissa; his brother Wayne of Grawn, son-in-law Robert Wasielewski of Williamsburg and many sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Durwin was a life-long member of the VFW Post 7806 Eugene N. Kimbel Post in Manton, MI.

A celebration of Durwin's life will be held at the Kingsley United Methodist Church, 113 Blair Street, Kingsley, MI on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow in the church hall. The family will greet friends staring at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Durwin's name can be made to the Kingsley United Methodist Church or Hospice of Michigan, Traverse City.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.