Donald H. Arsen

ARSEN, DONALD H. of Waterford, passed away May 26, 2022 at 97 years of age. Born in Detroit, MI in 1925. Loving husband of the late Margie for 70 years; dear father of David (Maggie Levenstein) Arsen, the late Dianne Arsen, John (Ellen Podeszwa) Arsen, and Karen (Darren) Millman; grandfather of Scott, Brian, Amy (Mitchell), Emily, Celia, Sam, Ava, Natalie, Andrew, Sarah (Michael), Daniel, Matthew, Rebecca; great grandfather of Jayden and Archie; brother of the late Earl Arsen. Shortly after graduating from Busch High School in Centerline, Don enlisted in the US Marine Corp and proudly served in the Pacific theater during WWII. He attended Central Michigan University under the GI Bill. There he met his true love and lifetime dance partner, Margie. Upon graduation, Don and Margie accepted teaching positions in the Waterford School District and never left. He retired after 36 years as a teacher, counselor, principal, and director of adult and community education. Along the way, he received his master’s in education from the University of Michigan. Don loved his work as an educator. It offered unlimited opportunities to extend guidance and a helping hand to youth and to establish durable connections with his community. He was an avid supporter of the Waterford Foundation for Public Education and one of the founders of Oakland Community College. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, a Rotarian, and engaged in many other civic organizations and activities in Waterford and Pontiac. Don was known for living his life on the “sunny side of the street,” with his big smile and warm hugs which were offered openly to everyone he met. He will always be remembered with deep appreciation by his family, friends, and community. A memorial mass will be held June 6, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 5481 Dixie Hwy, Waterford, preceded by visitation starting at 9:30 AM. His family will receive friends at Coats Funeral Home, 3141 Sashabaw Road, Waterford from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on June 5, 2022. Memorial donations may be made to the Waterford Foundation for Public Education. 

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