Donald's family moved often while he was growing up, including Central Avenue in Holland, MI; Rochester, NY; the farm in Hamilton, MI; 24th Street in Holland in a home bought and sold for $800; and then back to Hamilton. He was known as a naughty child, close to his father and much like his mother. Irene was born on the family farm (map of farm), and did housework for others before marrying Donald in 1940 and moving into the corner house in Overisel, MI.

In 1943 Donald was drafted into the Army, training in Maryland and instructing in Texas on the repair of anti-aircraft guns. His 300 Ordinance left for Scotland, but on the way he got a serious case of pneumonia which placed him in the hospital. After recovering, he joined the 610 Ordinance, and later drove troops from France to the German front, and also worked fixing guns in a German factory near the end of the war.

While Donald was in the Army, Irene worked at a grocery store for a year. Donald returned home in August 1945, when he first saw his 11-month-old daughter Donna. They built a new house on the hill nearby in Overisel, and Donald started working for Fisher Body at General Motors in Grand Rapids, MI. They moved down the street in 1952, and in the early 1960s began working as janitors for the Overisel Church across the street, a job they continued for over 22 years. Donald retired in 1972.

Donald was an intelligent, creative man, emotional and with a sense of humor that lead to many silly stories and sayings, such as his own creative version of "The Night Before Christmas." Irene was a kind, warm person and good cook, quite emotional and always caring for family and friends.

Donald and Irene are buried in Overisel Cemetery.