Donald Agne

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Donald Agne was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in bringing happiness to all who were within his reach. He was genuine in his love and concern for others, and he treated everyone with respect and unconditional acceptance. A devoted family man, Don shared 66 years with the love of his life, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who put such a sparkle in his eye. A man of faith, his life exemplifies what it means to serve the Lord he loved with all his heart. A stranger to none and a friend to all, Don will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those too numerous to count.

The decade of the Roaring Twenties brought us some of the most exciting days full of discovery and great transformation we have experienced as a nation. Motion pictures came alive with color and sound, radios brought the world around us within our reach, and cars were more affordable due to the widespread implementation of the assembly line. It was during this colorful time in America that a busy family from Rockford, Ohio, was delighted to welcome a healthy baby boy into the fold. Donald was the fourth of eight children born to his parents, Augustus Wendellyn and Lydia Angeline Agne, and he was raised alongside his older siblings, Pauline, Bob, and Marguerite, and his younger siblings, Jon, Paul, Max, and Marilyn. The Agne family moved around throughout Ohio and Southern Michigan as his father worked for the railroad while his mother was a homemaker. Don attended local schools and graduated from West Alexandria High School in 1943.

As a young man Don attended college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for one year, but his education was put on hold when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1944. With his military duties fulfilled he returned to Ohio to resume his education, however, it was his personal life that soon grew very exciting since it was there that he met the young girl with whom he would write a love story that would span 66 years. Her name was Virginia Pitsenbarger, and with a shared love for music they were both singers at Miami. Deeply in love, the sweethearts were married in Versailles, Ohio, on June 6, 1948. Together they shared a love that exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were companions, teammates, and best friends. The couple moved to Eaton, Ohio, where Don got his first job as a band director. During the summers he often painted area barns to help make ends meet as he had a family that grew to include four children, Gail, Donald, Daniel, and Elizabeth, to support.

A bit later Don accepted a different position as a band director and moved his growing family to Hicksville, Ohio, before finally making the move to Plainwell, Michigan. There, he worked as a band director and also attended Western Michigan University, eventually earning his Master’s Degree in Counseling. Don remained at Plainwell for 24 years before retiring in the early eighties, working as a middle school guidance counselor as well as a high school band director.

It was easy to see that Don was a man of unwavering faith. His desire to serve God and others was put into practice through his years as a lifetime member at First Presbyterian Church in Plainwell. For 34 years he was the much loved choir director there, and for several years during the Christmas season he gathered together and then directed a mixed denominational choir to share the beauty of Handel’s Messiah with the people of Plainwell and Otsego. Those performances were a blessing for the choir members and the audience alike. In addition, Don’s church benefitted from his woodworking and construction skills in various structural improvements.

Throughout his life Don was a man of many interests. He loved cooking and had fantastic dishes and treats to show for his efforts as his peanut brittle at Christmas was always well received. Of course music played an important role in his life as he could often be found listening to choral or classical music. For many years Don played string bass in a bluegrass group called Cooper Corn. He often had some sort of carpentry project going and enjoyed being outdoors fishing and mushroom hunting. Don was a creature of habit when it came to certain things as he and Virginia always had ice cream or popcorn before going to bed.

When grandchildren arrived, spending time with them became a favorite pastime right from the start, and things only got better when great-grandchildren joined the family. These younger generations never failed to bring a smile to Don’s face no matter what their age. The joy extended two ways, however, as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved that he took the time to be with them in whatever they were doing whether they were going fishing, building something together, or just having a conversation.

All who knew Don would certainly agree that he was an extraordinary man. He was calm no matter what came his way as he was never heard raising his voice, and he faced whatever came his way with strength and courage. Despite being talented in a variety of areas, Don used his gifts and talents to the glory of the God he loved. When he listened he gave his full attention, which made everyone feel as though they were the most important person in the world.

Intelligent, gentle, and generous, Donald Agne was a blessing to all who were within his reach. He was the ultimate role model for his children and grandchildren, and he was well respected by everyone he met. Don had a dry sense of humor, an easy smile, and a fun-loving spirit that made him so much fun to be around. His love for his family and friends was easy to see, and the countless memories he made with his loved ones will be forever cherished.

Donald “Don” Agne died on September 23, 2014. Don’s family includes his wife, Virginia Agne; siblings: Paul Agne, Jon Agne, Max Agne and Marilyn Warner; children: Gail Toda (Shig), Donald E. Agne (Naomi), Daniel E. Agne (Debbie), Elizabeth E. Agne (Jim McKinley); grandchildren: Angela Jobe, Allison Agne-Maddox, Erinn Wrobel, Robin Kessler, Lauren Zuckerberg, Ian Agne, Emily McKittrick, Camille Woodruff, Sen Toda; and his great-grandchildren: Emma Maddox, Cooper Maddox, Jackson Jobe, and Thomas McKittrick. Don was preceded in death by siblings: Pauline Williams, Robert Agne and Marguerite Davis. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Plainwell, Michigan on Sunday, November 2nd, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. In addition, a brief military honors ceremony will be held at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Monday, November 3rd at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Plainwell, Michigan. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.