Donald Norman Schuessler

Donald "Don" N. Schuessler, 76, passed away peacefully on April 4th, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his adoring wife and sons. Don was born in Oconto Falls on August 2nd, 1940 to the late Norman and Antonia (Hoerth) Schuessler. After moving to west Green Bay as a toddler, Don shared his childhood with 3 sisters and 8 brothers. The time he spent working on his uncle's farm in Door County developed his astonishing work ethic and love of animals. At home, he was proud to lead the family in tending to the crops, chickens & even a cow. He graduated West High School and started to date Shirley Maddix, which led to their marriage on December 28th, 1963. While dating Shirley, he joined the Army and proudly served as a combat photographer. Don used his photography talents to start his diverse career history as a camera man and then program director for television WFRV. His mechanical skills drove his career in many directions: Nicolet Paper Mill, Better Bright Electrical Plating, & constructing apartment buildings, to name a few. His entrepreneurial spirit gave inspiration to starting The Eye for Beauty retail store with his wife, Shirley. His career culminated with a 15 year run as a Mail Processing Equipment Mechanic at the USPS before retiring in 2007.
Dad loved to hunt, fish, camp, ride motorcycles, coaching baseball & hockey teams with his boys, but most importantly he loved to help people. His passions and zest for life were only superseded by his love and dedication to his family and friends. He was the type of man to give you a fish & then teach you to fish. He would give you the shirt off his back and then help you build a house to hang it in. In his early years, he spent countless hours making sure his family was taken care of, but as the trials of life gave him a moment to breathe it became clear that his all-time passion was fishing. Within the last year, he was excited to get to fish in Alaska, Mexico, Texas, Florida, Minnesota & Wisconsin. We spent many happy days chasing that illusive scaly creature only to set them free once they were in the boat.
Don is survived by his beautiful wife, Shirley; three sons and spouses: Paul and Jennifer (Doherty) Schuessler, Becker, MN; Mark and Amy (Sinkler) Schuessler, Becker, MN; Brian Schuessler, Madison, WI; grand-daughter: Kennedy Schuessler, Becker, MN; six brothers and spouses: Pat and Joann; John and Kum; Gene and Judy; Bill and Carol; Jeff and Barb; Jerry and Vicki; two sisters and spouse: Ann VanEnkenvort; Nancy and Bob Suskie; sisters through marriage: Roberta and Judy; and many other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his two brothers: Mike and Jim; sister and spouse: Rose and Fred Freeman; brothers-in-law: David and Jimmy Maddix.
A Visitation will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 to 6:45 PM, with a Vigil Service following at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 8 at 1:30 PM, with a Visitation 1 hr prior to mass, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2771 Oakwood Drive, Green Bay. Please feel free to dress casual or in your favorite fishing/boating attire.
Don's family extends a special thank you to Roberta Schuessler for her caring touch in his final days. Also, Ashley and Lori from Unity Hospice for helping us make his bucket list a reality.

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