- State: Wisconsin
Donald D. Schillinger, 77, died peacefully at home on June 27, 2022, surrounded by family.
Donald was born near Stratford Wisconsin, the son of Ferdinand and Evelyn Schillinger. He attended St Peter and Paul and St. Philips grade schools, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1964. His post-secondary education emphasized Drafting/Engineering.
After college, Donald worked at Gisholt Machine in Madison Wisconsin, prior to being drafted, where he served in Vietnam in the 219th Aviation Company – Headhunters. Based on education, Don managed the aviation body shop, where he specialized in war riddled sheet metal and equipment repairs on Huey choppers, and Bird Dog Cessna’s.
After his tour of duty, Don was employed by Abels Menswear, where his on point sense of fashion was utilized. Hired by Consolidated Papers, he held numerous titles/roles in Engineering/Management until brief retirement in 2000. He accepted a role of Paper Machine Alignment contractor, until his retirement in 2005. Don was a dedicated hardworking provider. Firm, yet fair, his children/grandchildren learned the common rules of life. Invariably, these teachings were delivered with tales from a memory that never faded, a good joke accompanying each lesson.
Donald was proud trustee of Consolidated Musky Club, cooking all of the banquet meals each year. A memorial fish planting will occur on his behalf this fall. He also supported the Wilderness Sportsmans Club, VVA Chapter 101, Color Guard and numerous other charities. He was a member of the Big Brothers association. He also volunteered at the Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids.
Don married Jean Goldamer in 1966, raising 3 children. Their marriage ended in divorce. He married Debra Stacie in 2014. Debra took on the role of full time caregiver as his condition worsened in recent years, a role that Donald’s family is very appreciative of.
Hunting and fishing became a way to provide for his family. The decades of family camping trips, hunting excursions out west, over 20 years of successful tournament Musky fishing with his son, and tutelage of his granddaughters in the art of eating a hunting partners snacks while the other is not looking, only cemented his legacy in the outdoors. In recent years, he cherished his fishing excursions to “secret” lake with brother-in-law Karl, staying at the historic log cabin he and Deb owned and enjoyed with their family.
Don was humbled to be chosen to take part in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, and was honored that his niece Kari, also a veteran, was his chaperone.
Don’s ‘other’ life was that of a collector of old things. Having a soft spot for old vehicles, he and his children worked on restoring his 1949 Ford and 1953 Chevy pickups until they were ready to be used for ice fishing, wood hauling and the bringing of even more old things back home. Eventually his attention turned to antique bicycles, followed by outboard motors, snowmobiles and furniture. He cherished teaching grandson Brennan how to work on his own vehicles, and never turned down the help of one of the granddaughters or neighbors on a long day of scrap metal recycling. Don and Debra enjoyed trading antiques and collectables at their storefront. These items were as likely to be found at flea markets and estate sales as on the curb in need of a bit of refurbishing. Don also had a natural ability as a cartoon artist. He would make art for family and friends. He passed this talent down to his grandchildren.
Don found value in literally everything, and more importantly everyone. He would make a friend for life at a garage sale over a common interest in an old fishing lure. Everyone at the cafe knew him, and so did their friends.
Simply put, Don’s charisma and charm would fill a room upon entry, a fact that the folks at the treatment center would even attest to. He’d make friends of friends. His sense of humor was on point at all times. He’d walk over to the neighbors just to tell a joke. It was never awkward around him. He was gravity. He was opposite of social climber, would seek out the downtrodden in order to help, and taught his children to be in that likeness. He was every man’s everyman. He was a faithful Christian and would regularly walk to Immanuel to attend worship.
Donald cherished family time most. His recent trips to the cabin at Stone Lake with Debra were enjoyable and comforting. Seeing his pride in witnessing his granddaughter and grandson graduate this spring, to watching his eyes glaze as youngest grandchild Eleanor climbed his lap, revealed just where he was in life. And we already miss him.
Donald is lovingly survived by wife Debra Schillinger, son Jason (Monica) Schillinger and daughter Sara (Andrew) Leulloff. He is also survived by sister Delores, sister Carol, brother William (Debra), sister Kathleen, and Bob Rehbein. He is further survived by Granddaughters Emma, Lauren, and Avery Schillinger, granddaughter Eleanor (Ellie) Leulloff, and grandsons Brennan Keiffer and Kaden Schillinger. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his dog Rupert.
Donald was preceded in death by his mother and father Ferdinand and Evelyn Schillinger, brothers Bobby Schillinger and Ralph Schillinger, and son Joseph Schillinger.
His family would like to thank the VA, UW Cancer Center, Aspirus, and the St. Croix Hospice staff for the wonderful care they provided. We also thank special friend ‘Mikie’ Steuck for all of his help and support.
In recent years, Don was most often seen wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
