Date of Death: November 11, 2023
Service Details
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers. Handwritten memories may be sent to Hohner Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1018, Three Rivers, MI 49093 or shared on notecards at the memorial service.
Obituary Notice
Don L. Troyer, M.D. died on November 11, 2023 at his home in Three Rivers. He was born on January 13, 1949 to Dana O. Troyer, M.D. and Verna (Burkholder) Troyer in Dhamtari, India, where they were serving as medical missionaries. He grew up in Goshen, Indiana where he graduated from Goshen High School and Goshen College with High Honors. During medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland he married Verna Hostetler on August 27, 1972. After completing a residency in Family Medicine at Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1978, he and Verna moved to Paoli, Indiana to join Comprehensive Health Care, a medical group dedicated to serving one of the most medically underserved counties in southern Indiana. In 1986, they moved to Michigan with their three children to enable Don to complete training as a Jungian Analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago in 1995. Don had established a solo practice in Family Medicine in Portage in 1992 and served as both a family doctor and Jungian Analyst there until 2014 when he retired from Family Medicine and limited his practice to Jungian Analysis in Kalamazoo. He was a dedicated physician and analyst who sought to serve the person as a whole and not just an illness. He was active as a Senior Training Analyst and teacher at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago, where he richly enjoyed the collegial participation in monitoring committees for the Analyst Training Program. He was a frequent speaker and retreat leader at Apple Farm Community in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was a member of Florence Church of the Brethren, Mennonite where he served on the leadership team and offered meditations on occasion. A three-sport athlete in high school, he enjoyed lifelong running, biking and swimming. Don loved his summer vacations with his family every summer on Lake Michigan.
He is survived by Verna, his wife of 51 years, his brothers: Robert M. Troyer, M.D., Indianapolis, IN, F. John Troyer, M.A., Akron, OH, his Children: Allison Troyer Wiswell (Tom) of Hastings, MI, Nathan Troyer (Sara) of Clarklake, MI, and Adam Troyer (Carrie) of Zeeland, MI and three grandchildren: Trenton, Norah and Devyn.
Additional Information
Memorial gifts can be made to Apple Farm Community, 12291 Hoffman Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Verna and family, Don will be missed, but I am grateful for having known him as a therapist. He worked with me through some very dark days. In this season of grief may you find peace in the knowledge of a life well lived and joy in the journey of remembrance. Don’s loving presence will live on in all the hearts he touched. Holding you in my heart and prayers.
My heartfelt condolences to Don’s family and Apple Farm community. I had the pleasure of attending several of Don’s retreats at Apple Farm , and my life continues to be enriched from his generous sharing. RIP Don.
I knew Don in his professional capacity where he brought his whole self to his vocation. With his rare combination of intelligence, humor, and spiritual integrity he exemplified someone deeply committed to social justice, relatedness and individuation. He was the best person I’ve ever known and the one I always wanted to be better for.
To Verna and the Troyer Family,
Deepest sympathy to you at this heartbreaking time. Don touched so many lives, and he will be greatly missed. You are all in my prayers.
We loved Dr Troyer as our Dr. His kindness and knowledge remain as markers for what we look for from our Dr.s
It was a sad day when he retired and we were set afloat to find a person with his heartfelt caring and knowledge. God Speed Dr Troyer, we think of you fondly and are grateful our paths crossed for the years we had.
Don was a childhood friend, high school and college classmate, and almost like a “cousin” because of our parents’ longstanding friendship and India connections. Blessings to you, Verna, in this time of terrible loss.
Dick Schlimgen
To Verna and family…
Many of us are shocked and touched deeply by your loss. Don was
an exceptional man in many ways. I am among his admirers. You are
in my prayers.
Verna,
I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Tom and Mary Theis
Dear Verna and Family,
Tom and I are very sad about Don’s passing. He meant so much to us and to Apple Farm. We are holding you in our hearts.
Tom and Mary
My heart goes out to Verna and all of Don’s family. Someone here described Don as her “life’s witness,” and I cannot think of a better way to describe my relationship with him over the past 20+ years. He was our family doctor and then he was my therapist and Jungian analyst. He was my most trusted friend and confidant who was consistently everso insightful, wise, kind and generous with his time. He was very professional and yet he was also a very dear friend with whom I could bring my deepest fears and greatest hopes for his observations and comment.
Don, rest easy and rise in strength and wisdom with Christ and all who’ve made it there already. I look forward to seeing you there, dear friend.
Possibly the smartest man I’ve ever met… WITH a great sense of humor.
Allison, So sorry to hear about your father. You and your family have my heartfelt sympathy. Sincerely, Nancy Nevelle.
Dear Troyer family,
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Such a fine man and dedicated doctor one could not know. I am so glad our daughters became good friends on the beach of Lake Michigan and it was a pleasure getting know your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Verna, and with all of you. With many good memories,
Kate Reck
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
My deepest condolences to Verna and the whole family.
Don was an extraordinarily compassionate and wise man. I knew him as a fellow family physician, teacher, and Jungian analyst. He helped me immeasurably in my own life, guiding me to see more deeply, to love with a bigger heart, and to act from the best part of myself. He will be truly missed. May God shower him with blessings. And may God bless Verna, his whole family, and the Apple Farm Community.
Dr. Troyer was one of the finest individuals I have ever had the privilege to know. I have known Dr. Troyer since 1986. He was my medical doctor and therapist. He was my life witness. I am so sad that he is no longer with us. I will forever cherish him. I extend my sincere condolences to his family. What a great person, like no other I have known. He was taken far too young, though mine is not to question why. He will be alive in my heart and he will be missed, as long as I live. Such a jewel…
My memory of Don will be of kindness and his memory will be a blessing to me for the rest of my days.
Dear Verna and Family: I have so admired and relied on Don’s wisdom and perspective as we served together on the Apple Farm Board. He will be terribly missed. I am thinking of you today and your greater loss of a beloved husband and father. I believe the fruits of his service will live on after him.
Dear Verna and family. My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of Don. I will remember him and you with great fondness when I remember Apple Farm and our times together as neighbors and friends.
Verna and family,
I was very sad to hear of Don’s passing at such a youngish age. I always really enjoyed talking to you and him at the pharmacy. He will be missed but cherish the memories… as they will be with you forever. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.