Donald A. Wachlin, Janesville, WI  (1925 - 2012)

November 5, 1925 - October 19, 2012
Donald A. Wachlin, 86, of Janesville, died Friday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2012, at Cedar View Health Center. He was born on Nov. 5, 1925, and was the son of Herman and Artie (Attlesey) Wachlin. He grew up on a farm in Porter Township, Rock County, and attended Edgerton High School. Donald entered the U.S. Army on April 5, 1945, and was discharged on Dec. 30, 1946. He married Shirley Schumacher on April 7, 1951. He was employed by his cousin, Tom Goodger, as a carpenter for several years, until going to work at General Motors, where he was employed for 30 years, until retiring in April of 1981. Donald was a proud member of U.A.W. Local #95. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. Donald enjoyed working at the Wilson School Breakfast Club. The Wachlin’s resided on the Rock River for 17 years, Donald was especially fond of his time there watching and feeding all of the animals and birds. He also enjoyed traveling with Shirley around the United States; along with their trips to Canada, Alaska and Israel; as well as their fishing trips to Hayward, WI.
Donald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Wachlin; special cousins, Betty and Jerry Earlywine; his sister-in-law, Diane Crompton; his nieces: Rae Ann Galloway, Paula Crompton, Sue Huber and Patti Raufman; and his nephew, Michael Crompton. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1422 Center Avenue, Janesville. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH with Pastor Bruce Gray officiating. Following a luncheon at the CHURCH, burial services will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Memorials may be made in Donald’s name to the Cedar Crest Foundation or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Memorial fund. The family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME.
“A special thank you to the nurses, aids and staff of Cedar Crest for their compassionate care.”