Donald Melbauer, Sr., age 89, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. He was born on August 21, 1933, in the Town of Belle Plain to Charles and Frances (Muraski) Melbauer. Don attended Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School in Shawano and graduated from Shawano High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict and proudly served 4 years before earning an honorable discharge. Don attended Green Bay Badger Business College for two years with a major in accounting and business. At Northern Shoe in Pulaski, he first worked scheduling production and then as a purchasing agent where he purchased all raw materials. On August 19, 1961, he was united in marriage to Nancy Kort at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano. Nancy passed away in 2010 after 49 years of marriage.

Nancy and Don owned and operated Melbauer's Boat Livery on the north shore of Shawano Lake where they rented boats and motors and sold fishing bait, gas and oil. Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion in Shawano. On April 20, 2013, Don married Marilyn Leisten at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano; his wife of nine years.

Don is survived by his wife, Marilyn Leisten of Shawano, WI; 4 children, Marsha McDowell of Summerville, SC, Charles (Tammy) Melbauer of Pulaski, WI, Donald Melbauer, Jr. of Shawano, WI, Christine (Mark) Soquet of Abrams, WI; four grandchildren, Brittney (Andrew) Dillenburg, of Shawano, WI, Jennifer (Kraig) Knaup of Shawano WI, Taylor McDowell of Madison, WI and Rachelle McDowell of Sonora, CA; and great-granddaughters, Mya Melbauer and Brynlee Dillenburg, both of Shawano.

He is proceeding in death by his wife, Nancy Kort; his granddaughter, Staci McDowell; brother, Charles Melbauer; and sisters, Ruth Graves and Beverly Moede.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shawano, with Fr. Scott Valentyn officiating. Visitation will be held at Swedberg Funeral Home, Shawano, from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, October 14, 2022. A parish wake service will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of service. Entombment will be at Sacred Heart Mausoleum with military rites by the Shawano American Legion Post #117.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shawano County Humane Society in Don's name.