Donald L. Cornette, age 78, of the town of Jackson, passed away peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side on Friday, August 2, 2013.
He was born on September 19, 1934 in Preble, WI to the late Joseph and Amanda (nee Schultz) Cornette. His family moved to Door County in his early years and he attended Lakeview Elementary School in the town of Clay Banks and Algoma High School. He then worked at the Christy Shipbuilding Corp. in Sturgeon Bay, building and repairing the Badger and Spartan car ferries. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, NC from 1955 to 1957 and was stationed in Germany for one of those years.
Don married Dolores Weitermann on July 13, 1957 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay. They moved to Milwaukee in 1960 and he worked at Briggs & Stratton Corp. and then did construction work for Local 24 Sheet Metal Construction Union and the Pabst Brewery. He retired in 1994.
He enjoyed many activities including deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, country dancing and traveling to many areas of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and abroad. Later in life, many serious health conditions limited his activities from 1994 until the time of his death. Much of his time was spent watching NASCAR races, Packers games, and country music shows with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dolores; a daughter, Cynthia (Paul) Gagan of Jackson; two grandchildren, Carlie (Tom) Weber of West Bend, and Kyle (fiancAC.e Christy McCutcheon) Gagan of West Bend; two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Luke Weber; a sister, Donna (Dale) Marsh of Sturgeon Bay; two brothers, Richard (Colleen) Cornette of Sturgeon Bay, and Milton (Marlene) Cornette of Greenleaf; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marianne Beamer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 138 N. 8th Ave., West Bend. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will be in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend.
Memorials to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or the Holy Angels School Trust Fund are appreciated.