DONALD WILLIAM DE BLAEY
Donald W. DeBlaey, 89, of Oostburg died on Wednesday evening, March 10, 2010, at the Sheboygan Progressive Care Center where he had resided since Saturday.
Donald was born on March 4, 1921, in the town of Wilson, the son of the late Harry and Susanna (Dirkse) DeBlaey.
Donald served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Philippines.
On March 13, 1942, he married the late Gloria Opgenorth in the town of Lima. She preceded him in death on June 27, 1979. On May 30, 1981, he married Dena (TenPas) Claussen in Cedar Grove.
Donald was a truck driver for most of his working career. He drove truck for Mark Brill Trucking, Clayton TenPas, Oostburg Canning Co., Krier Foods, and United Van Lines. He also worked part-time at Dutchland Plastics in Oostburg.
He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove. He enjoyed reading, fishing, playing cribbage and other card games, and shooting pool. Donald loved baseball and was a huge Milwaukee Brewer fan. He appreciated a good cup of coffee and enjoyed visiting with his family and many friends.
Donald is survived by his wife, Dena, of Sheboygan Progressive Care Center; four daughters, Jean (Glenn) Bruggink of Oostburg, Mary Gosse of Cedar Grove, Nancy (Robert) Braaten of Reedsville, Ore., and Christine (Jack) Lindow of Sheboygan; two sons, James (Linda) DeBlaey of Hingham and Mark DeBlaey of Sheboygan; a daughter-in-law, Donna (Jim) Davies of Oostburg; two stepdaughters, Caroline Staaben of Sheboygan and Mary Ann (Darrell) Anderson of Plymouth; two stepsons, Erwin (Shirley) Claussen and David Claussen, both of Cedar Grove; a step daughter-in-law, Diane Claussen of Sheboygan Falls; 13 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond DeBlaey of Oostburg and Allan (Evelyn) DeBlaey of Random Lake.
Donald was also preceded in death by a son, Donald DeBlaey Jr.; a son-in-law, Donald Gosse; two stepsons, Robert and James Claussen; a stepdaughter, Jane Marie Claussen; a step-grandson, and a step-great-great-grandson.
Funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove on Saturday afternoon, March 13, 2010 with the Rev. Kent Vant Hul officiating. Military Honors were held following the service. Burial took place at the Hartman Cemetery in the town of Wilson.
Online condolences and other information may be found at www.wenig funeralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established in his memory for the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the DeBlaey family.
