Donald J. Halbach, age 82, was born to eternal life surrounded by his family Saturday, April 16, 2011. Don was a resident of American Grand Assistant Living in Kaukauna. He was born in St. John on June 9, 1928 to the late Raymond Sr. and Mary (Marx) Halbach. Don married Ethel Otte on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1952 at St. Therese Parish in Appleton. He owned and operated Hi-Way 55 Auto Sales, south of Kaukauna for 48 years. Don proudly served in the Air Force and was a member of the Sherwood V.F.W. Post. He was a dedicated volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul in Kaukauna, where he was a founding member. Don was a volunteer firefighter with the Harrison Fire Department #2. He was also a charter member of St. Aloysius Parish in Kaukauna. Don loved sturgeon spearing and belonged to the Lake Park Sportsmans Club. He collected cars and was an avid Brewers, Cubs and Packers fan. Through the years, Don sponsored cars at WIR and Apple Creek Raceway. Don loved music, especially polkas, and Lawrence Welk.

Don is survived by three daughters: Susan (Marty) Schuh, Kaukauna; Sandra (Rick) Bruecker, Greenleaf; and Debra (Perry) Kohne, Alaska; one son: Fred (Mikki), Kaukauna; 12 grandchildren: Ben (Joy) Randall-Schuh, Josh (Bobbi) Schuh-Fulcer, Jason (Becky) and Jeremy (fiancée Stephanie Pink) Bruecker, Samantha (Kevin) Miller, David (Katie) and Adam (fiancée Cassidy Thompson)Kohne, Alexandria, Wyatt, Elliot and Lucas Halbach; great grandchildren: Alexis, Hannah, Benjamin, Grace, and very soon to be baby Bruecker; siblings: Alphonse, Eugene, Sister Margaret Mary and Raymond (Marilyn) Halbach, Jeanette Ott, Rosemary (Norb) Propson, and Mary Ann Olson; sisters-in-law: Audrey Mader, Joyce Halbach, Lorraine Van Handel, Therese and Frances Otte; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Ethel; his grandson Nathaniel (his birthday buddy); brothers and sisters: Bill, Gerald, and James Halbach, Ceil (Adrian) Mader, brothers and sisters-in-law; Leo Ott, Neil Olson, Myrtle, and Joan Halbach, father and mother-in-law; Adolph and Anna (Berghuis) Otte; and his wife's family; Emma (Clarence) Jansen, Margaret (Gordon) Van De Hey, James Otte, Ed Van Handel and infant George.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH (2401 Main Ave. Kaukauna) beginning at 2:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Jerry Pastors will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 will immediately follow. Committal at St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to benefit St. Vincent De Paul.