Milburn “Mel” Dosenberry peacefully passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023, with his children by his side. Mel was born August 29, 1925, at his family home in Howard City, Michigan, the youngest of nine siblings. He graduated from Barryton High School and proudly served during WWII in active combat across the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Randolph.
Mel married the love of his life, Doris Marie Bowman on June 30, 1950, and raised four children together. Doris passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. They were blessed to share 71 years of marriage. He was an amazing father that instilled life’s most important values to live fully, help others, cherish family and friends, and to always be truthful.
Mel retired from GM (DED Rochester Products) in June of 1983, enjoying camping trips, square dancing, taking up golf and working on cars.
Mel is the son of William and Matilda (Campbell) Dosenberry and was preceded in death by his brothers, Roy, Henry “Pete”, Harry, George & Don; sisters, Mary, Mabel & Mae.
Mel is survived by his children, Terry (Janet) Dosenberry, Debbie (Charlie) Eggerding, Larry (Terrie) Dosenberry, Sharon (Scott) Boonenberg; grandchildren, Ryan (Danielle) Dosenberry, Laurenda (Dan) Bennett, Alisha (Andrew) Harkes, Todd Dosenberry, Carson, Ethan & Logan Eggerding, Kira Dosenberry, Tyler, Connor & Tanner Chopp; great-grandchildren, Lucy & Leo Dosenberry, Sawyer & Sutton Bennett, Emmett & Stella Harkes; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 from 1:30 to 2:30, followed by a 2:30 memorial service with full military honors under the Auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Contributions honoring Milburn can be made to Hospice of Michigan, Donation Processing Center, 989 Spaulding Ave. SE, Ada, MI 49301.