Don has also agreed to sponsor the season-ending Modified Invitational joining Don Morse and Pioneer Seed as co-sponsor of the September 8th event which is sure to attract some of the best in the business.

Don started racing when he was 17 years old on a dirt track. His first car was a 6 cylinder 1965 Mustang for which he paid $80; money earned from washing dishes at Sorrentos Pizzeria. His dad welded a roll cage in it and Don went racing. He was able to beat a lot of the faster cars because he never let off the accelerator!! His class would have been equivalent to today's Bomber class. “We spent more time bouncing off of each other, the guard rails and light poles than we did racing, but it we had lots of fun and it’s where I found my love for stock car racing”,  Don recalled. He moved up to the Sportsman class in 1978 with a Nova Super Sport.

 

After that, Don went to college and didn't race again until 26 years later when he got the urge to drive. But he didn't have the mechanical skills to build one of his own. It was then that the late Greg Yost hooked him up with Todd Matheson, an 8 time Open Wheel Modified Champ.  “Todd had an extra modified and offered to let me drive and lease it. He did all of the set up and maintenance and all I had to do was drive. We grew to be great friends and I won Rookie of the Year honors in 2004”, Don continued. After his third year, he suffered a massive heart attack and had to quit racing full time. In 2008 he drove part-time for Matheson. Since then he has been more of a sponsor than driver with an occasional ride in Rick Wiecorek's back-up Mod.

 

Don still sponsors Todd Matheson, Nick Clemens, Rick Wiecorek, Kevin Feeny, Tony Hoose, Al Boitel and Tiffany Tabor Plamondon Chemo.

 

Don describes his most serious on-track incident:  “My worst accident occurred at Whittemore in 2006. I had qualified for one of 24 spots out of 46 cars that entered for the 100 lap state invitational. At about lap 80, I was attempting to pass a slower car coming out of turn 2 at the same time Scott Lamp was making a move on me. I moved down and he clipped the left rear end of my car. It had rained all weekend and the infield was like greased lightning! As my car started to spin I hit the grass on the back stretch and the car continued to pick up speed. I slammed an infield telephone pole at nearly 100 mph.  The impact point was just behind my seat and I hit so hard that it shook the entire pit grand stands. I was knocked unconscious and was transported to a hospital but ended up with just a sore neck and ribs. A highlight in my career by qualifying for a race with some of the best mod  drivers in the state and a low point by ending it with a crash!”  

 

Since 1899, our home in Clio has been providing the finest in funeral services in the comfort of a warm and beautiful facility.

 

This century old firm has seen many changes and has continued to grow with our community.  In 1995, the funeral home underwent a major addition and renovation. The historic "Stuber House" is now home to a modern, 13,000 square foot funeral home with the latest in comfort features and technical amenities.

 

Both former family owners, the Benjamin's and Whipple's, left behind a trusted legacy of compassionate, professional service. We are blessed to follow in their footsteps.

 

In 1987, the former Cole Funeral Home in Montrose became part of our funeral home family.  The Cole family began serving the Montrose community in 1949 from a small home on Main Street. Later they purchased property and built a new home at our present location on Hickory Street. Charlene Cole and her late husband James dedicated their lives to the tender care our community. We are thankful for their contributions.

 

In 2000, the O'Guinn's purchased the Krauss-Torhan Funeral Home in Birch Run. This home has enjoyed an excellent reputation with some fine owners over the past 75 years. Elmer Klein, Don Krauss and Steve Torhan have all left their mark on this business and we are proud to carry on their tradition of excellence in funeral service.