Date of Death: November 21, 2021
Service Details
A private family graveside service will be held.
Obituary Notice
Don Joseph Caletri, 86, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
He was born June 14, 1935 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Ralph and Irene (Harringer) Caletri. He graduated from South Bend Central High School with the class of 1953. He was pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati prior to enlisting in the Army in 1954. After his honorable discharge from the army in 1956 he secured employment with Bendix Corporation and held numerous engineering positions prior to his retirement in 1995.
On July 14, 1956 he married the love of his life, Rebia (Sowder), to whom he was married for 61 years before her passing on September 20, 2017. They enjoyed life together and with many friends and family. In 2003 they bought a second home in Lake Wales, Florida where they spent many winters.
Don had numerous hobbies that kept him very busy throughout his life. He enjoyed boating and had numerous sailboats that he sailed on Lake Michigan out of Holland and South Haven Michigan. He was also an avid gun, car and airplane enthusiast. While a relatively quiet man, he could strike up a lengthy conversation with anyone willing to talk about these interests.
He is survived by his sister Carol (Don) King; his daughters, Jeanie (Denny) Dykstra, Teresa (Ed) Bunnell and Carol Caletri; grandchildren Jill (Kurtis) Hornick and Donny Dykstra and his great grandchildren, Jack and Lucy Hornick.
Additional Information
Donations in Don’s memory may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Dear Jeanie, Teresa and Carol,
What a lovely photo tribute to your father. May those memories continue to comfort you all.
Love, Betty, Lisa and Teresa
I’m so thankful that I was able to visit my cousin Don this past summer. It was a long time coming but we had a very enjoyable visit. Love and prayers for you girls. He shared lots of memories with me.
Dear Jeanie, Carol and Teresa,
Our hearts go out to you as we enjoyed being a part of your family through the years. I know how proud your father was with each of you!! For me, growing up in an all girls family, no boys, each one (like us) totally different from one another but let me tell you…he had no favorites…he adored each one of you! Your father had a quiet, soft spoken, straight forwardness about him. Dick especially enjoyed sharing sailing and boating stories.
We are so sorry as loosing the last parent changes the dynamics of “family”. The older you get the more you will come to cherish that you do still have each other…we have more fun!! We love you and want you to know our door is always open❤️
Dick & Inge Bonfoey
Thank you Inge and Dick for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. They are truly appreciated in this difficult time. My parents adored the two of you and were lucky to call you friends, as am I. We are heartbroken and still in shock, as it was so unexpected.
Rest in peace Don, I always enjoyed the times we spent talking and going to gun shows. Condolences to his family, Don was a great guy and you can be proud to have had him as father and brother.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I did not know him but remember his daughters. I hope you go through this well.
I am so very saddened by my wonderful brother’s passing! We were very close in a distant way, which was our nature! I will miss him until we’re reunited in heaven! May you Rest In Peace my dear brother! I love you!
Oh, girls, I’m so sorry to hear this. Your parents were wonderful to me. Please know you’re all in my thoughts. Peace for you and hang onto your memories.
Teresa,
I’m very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a nice guy and always friendly to me. I’m sure all of his close friends and relatives will really miss him.
You are in my thoughts during this time of sorrow.
Brad Beams
Carol and family; so sorry to learn of the passing of your father. I also am sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “ Death ends a life; Not a relationship.” Hugs and prayers