Donald James Bugni

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Donald James Bugni, 77, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away Friday morning, March 7, 2014.

He was born on May 24, 1936, in Wakefield, a son of the late James D. and Loraine G. (Pitrone) Bugni. Don graduated from Wakefield High School with the class of 1954. While at WHS, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and was an all conference/U.P. performer. In 1954, his basketball team went to the state semifinals. Following high school, Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for two years.

He started his working career in the mines in northern Minnesota. It was there, Don met his future wife, JoAnn E. Ellig, whom he married on Jan. 2, 1962, in Aurora. They were blessed with three children. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1995.

Don's father was a local barber and he decided to follow in his "dad's footsteps." After completing barber school in Detroit and working there, he returned to Wakefield in 1972 and assisted his dad. Don also was employed as a corrections officer at Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco and retired from the state of Michigan.

He loved woodworking, watching sports on television (especially NBA basketball), doing puzzles, going to the casino and enjoyed their buffet. Outdoor activities included fishing, hunting partridge and daily walks.

Don is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Jean "Christiansen" Anderson, whom he married on Nov. 16, 2005. Also surviving are a son, Joseph (Terri), and their twin daughters, Emily and Katelyn, Iron Mountain; two daughters, Mary Jane (Dan) Bushnell, and their two sons, Jesse and Justen, Proctor, Minn., and Susan (Bruce) Baker, and their daughter, Maison, St. Michael, Minn .; two brothers, Jerry (Joan), L'Anse, and Roger (Jean), Farwell; JoAnn's sister, Joyce (David) Dye; Nancy's children and their families; Nancy's brother, Chris (Reenie) Anderson; Nancy's sisters, Ruth Weber and Karen Miller; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m., preceded by visitation at 12:30 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant.

Immediately following the Mass, a lunch will be served downstairs.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, in the spring.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.