Obituaries

Donald Walter McMaster passed away on May 8, 2023. He was born in Petoskey, Michigan, on April 19, 1953, to Walter and Rosemary (Hoffman) McMaster. He grew up on the family farm and attended St. Francis School. After high school, Don attended Ferris State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Heavy Duty Equipment Technology.

Don worked at the Petoskey Post Office as a rural mail carrier for 42 years. He was very dedicated to delivering mail to his longtime customers. He drove over two million miles without an accident. At Christmas, he received so many sweet treats from his customers that he and his brother could not even eat them all. When he was not at the post office, Don enjoyed doing farm work at Bill’s Farm Market, which was his family’s business. This included plowing and tilling the fields. Farming was truly a labor of love for Don.

Don was a member of the Emmet County Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Petoskey Knights of Columbus Council 903, where he helped put on the annual Polish Sausage Dinner. Don was an avid parishioner at Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine in Indian River. He enjoyed landscaping at the National Shrine. Many of the trees and landscape stones were installed by Don on his John Deere 5385 tractor. Don enjoyed mushrooming, picking wild blueberries, and exploring new trails with his Gator. He also enjoyed traveling to national parks and farm/agriculture shows.

Don is survived by his brother, Bill McMaster; his Aunt Ruth; and numerous cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Manna Food Project or Brother Dan’s Food Pantry.

Posted 5/16/2023