Dr. Donald R. Eck, of Hesperia, Michigan died peacefully on September 26, 2015,at home surrounded by his family and wife Wanda (VanWagenen) of 54 years. Don was raised in Williamsport, PA by his parents Maurice and Cecilia Eck and was the youngest of seven boys. He left Williamsport for St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and proceeded to Temple University where he earned a Doctorate in Podiatry and then his Medical Degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy where he met his wife Wanda. In 1962, Don and Wanda moved to Detroit, Michigan for an internship and surgical orthopedic residency at the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. Upon completion of his residency, the family moved to North Muskegon, Michigan where he began his practice in Orthopedics of more than 40 years, with offices in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Fremont and Milwaukee, WI. Don continued to receive post-graduate training at Cornell University for Special Surgery; the Wrightington Hospital, England and the Academy of Osteosynthesis, Davos and Bern, Switzerland. Following his training, Don began to pioneer new surgical procedures in back and hip surgery. Don was a member of the American Association of Physician Specialists and is certified and a fellow of the American Association of Specialists in Orthopedic Surgery. In his later years, Don was researching and perfecting a system for non-surgical treatment of advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. Don loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, and skiing with his family and friends, but it was his love of farming that inspired Don to move his family to Hesperia in 1980 where they continue to call home. A devout Catholic, Don was a member of Christ the King in Hesperia and St. Michael Catholic Church in Brunswick. He was a faith leader in his family and in the community where he worked with catechism and RCIA programs. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Michael. Don is survived by his loving wife, Wanda, and their six children; Tina Kuchenbuch (Joe) of Portage, Stephanie Heath (Michael) of Hampton, VA, Jerome (Michelle) of Sterling Heights, Denise Eck of Fremont, Teresa Bridges (Mark) of Fremont, and Jenine Taggart of Knoxville, TN. Don also leaves a legacy of 17 grandchildren, Michael and Daniel Kuchenbuch, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Hannah and Samuel Heath, Desirae, Raechel, Joshua, Nathan and Benjamin Eck, Christopher Eck, Mark and Megan Bridges, Emma, Madison and Samantha Taggart. Don and Wanda have one great grandson, Mark Bridges, lll. Don has one surviving brother, Raymond (Barbara) of Williamsport, PA. Friends will be welcomed at The Crandell Funeral Home, 7193 West 48th St, Fremont, MI 49412 on Wednesday, September 30th, from 2-4 and 5-8pm. A Rosary will be offered at 7:30pm. On Thursday, October 1st at 11am, a Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church, 6382 South Maple Island Rd, Fremont, MI 49412. A viewing will be held in the Church prior to the mass, from 10-10:45am. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Friends may share memories and condolences on line at crandellfh.com.