Donald G. Schwaab

Fort Apache Junction, AZ -- Donald G. Schwaab, age 87, of Racine and Apache Junction, AZ, passed peacefully into the next life on January 29, 2013. Born October 14, 1925, Don was the eldest child of Margaret and George Schwaab.

He grew up living near the shore of Lake Michigan where he enjoyed sailing on the lake as a Sea Scout. He graduated from Manitowoc's Lincoln High School class of 1944 and enlisted in the US Navy during WWII at seventeen. He attended Oklahoma A & M where he became a radar operator and repairman. He served on an LST during WWII in the South Pacific, seeing action at Iwo Jima, Saipan and Okinawa. After an honorable discharge, Don returned to the Midwest and worked in electronics before marrying and moving to Texas for four years. Upon returning to the Midwest, he worked in several sales positions in Wisconsin and Illinois.

In 1960, Don settled his family in Racine and in 1970 he established Belle Coffee Service and Break Time Coffee Service. He later sold Break Time to his business partner, Jim Christensen. In 1990 when he retired, he sold Belle Coffee Service to his son, Don, who had worked for him for many years. After working part-time for his son and traveling to warm weather areas in the winter for a number of years, he retired completely. In 1985 Don remarried. He and his second wife purchased a winter get-away in 2004 in an RV resort in Apache Junction, AZ, where he spent many pleasant hours at the dog park supervising Buffy and discussing WWII and other important topics.

Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Patricia Hansen Schwaab, and their combined families consisting of nine children: Susan Schwaab, Mary Bennett, Laureen (Chuck) Kaprelian, Richard (Devon) Schwaab, Tom (Sondra) Schwaab, Don (Pauline) Schwaab, Bill (Susan) Schwaab, Bob Schwaab and Steve (Kris) Schwaab; Twenty grandchildren: Nick Schwaab, Benn (Anne) Schwaab, Ryan Schwaab, Chad Schwaab, Dawn Schwaab, Steven (Christina) Schwaab, Bryan (Markee) Schwaab, Hannah (Joseph) Johnson, Courtney (Travis) Brady, Allison Schwaab, Morgan Schwaab, Riley Schwaab, Danielle Schwaab, Brendan Schwaab, Katie Schwaab, Abbey Schwaab, Isabella Schwaab, Nina (Jeff) Blaisdell, Andrew Langenfeld Jr., and Thomas Duncanson; seven great-grandchildren: Brentten and Logen Schwaab, Kaia and Nolan Schwaab, Cullen Schwaab, Hailey and Cayden Blaisdell.

Additionally, Don is survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Marietta and Dick Garski, Janet Lundquist, Peg and Manuel Aceves, Larry and Eileen Hansen, Sue Carlson, Anita Hansen (David Kurtz) and David and Chris Hansen. He had many nieces and nephews, too many to mention by name, but all very important to him, as well as long-time friends who became like family: Apolinari (Donna) Ngwira, Barbara (Bob) Block and Cynthia Hopkins. Relatives and friends who remained in his heart and thoughts long after their passing included: his parents; his twin siblings, Pat & Terry; his business partner, Jim Christensen; his brothers-in-law, Rollie Wottrich and Gene Carlson; and his good friend, Tom Helms.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., Racine, WI, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Terry Huebner officiating. The family will receive friends at the church starting from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Following Mass there will be a celebration of life reception in the church hall. Internment with full military honors will take place at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Dover, WI, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association or one's favorite charity.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888