Donald Ray Schone, of River Falls, WI died in his home on June 10, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was 78 years old.

Donald was born on November 9, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Walter and Alice (Rehberg) Schone. Upon graduation from West Allis Central High School, Donald enrolled in the US Coast Guard and served his country as a reservist.

On October 12, 1957 Donald married Doris Ann Bublitz of Milwaukee, WI and they were blessed with three children: Jeffrey Schone (Susan) of New Ulm, MN, Scott Schone of Atenas, Costa Rica, and Cynthia Covelli (Joseph) of River Falls, WI, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

After Doris passed away in 2002 Donald remarried, uniting with Romaine Cudd on March 14, 2004. Romaine brought her three children into Don’s life, Debbie Huppert of River Falls, WI, Sandy McTie of Ellsworth, WI and Cathy Most of Ellsworth, WI, along with 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
After working for several construction companies, Donald started his own company, Modern Steel Structures, Inc. in Burlington, WI and ran it successfully for 30 years, selling the business and retiring in 2002. During these busy years, Donald was a member of the Burlington Kiwanis Club, obtained his private pilot’s license and flew his two-seater Ercoupe, and served St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Burlington, WI as a councilman, congregation President and as a member of the bell choir. In his younger years Donald also played the accordion.

Upon retirement Don kept himself active, working at several part-time jobs including work as a parts driver for the CarQuest business in River Falls. He was also willing to serve Kinnikinnic township and continued his lifelong interest in woodworking. Donald also found new enjoyment in writing children’s books, publishing two of them, and sharing his stories as “Grampa Don” on local media. At the time of his death, Don was a member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in River Falls, WI.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Alice, and his first wife, Doris.

Funeral Services celebrating God’s promise of Resurrection in Christ will be held Wednesday, June 15, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 545 Apollo Road, River Falls, WI. A visitation is planned for Wednesday, June 15, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm with the funeral service to follow immediately. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Donald’s body will be laid to rest at Kinnikinnic cemetery.