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Donald E. Zielke, age 87, of Oshkosh, died Thursday, January 29, 2015, at Waterford Place in Oshkosh with his family by his side. He was born March 3, 1927, in Oshkosh to the late Adam and Amy (Clark) Zielke. Don served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In April of 1949 he married Delores Montag and they made their home in Oshkosh. For over 25 years Don worked as a tool and die maker for Leach Co. until his retirement. He was a long-time member of the U.A.W and served as a local vice-president. In additions to his career as a tool and die maker, Don ran a local carpentry business and gun and shooter supply business. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and bowled in several area bowling leagues. Don was a member of the Oshkosh Gun Club, where he enjoyed his passion for skeet shooting.
Don is survived by his three children, June (Thomas) Joanis, of Omro; Raymond (Betsy) Zielke, of Cedarburg; Laurie (Ken) Kandler, of Oshkosh; grandchildren, Jaymes (Cara) Schmidt, of Oshkosh; Jaclyn Mabry (Adam Frisque),of Neenah; Elizabeth Joanis, of Omro; Katherine Zielke, of Atlanta, Georgia; Samuel (Sara) Zielke, of Wauwatosa; Abigail Zielke, of Madison; Nikolaus Kandler, of Oshkosh; Mercedes Kandler, of Oshkosh; great-grandchildren, Zachary Mabry, Stella Schmidt, Waylon Schmidt; and other relatives and friends.
Along with his parents, Don was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Delores on September 29, 2014.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, February 8, 2015, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1206 Ontario St. Oshkosh where Don had been a member for nearly fifty years. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Paul Lidtke officiating. Military honors will follow. Burial will be in the Ellenwood Cemetery, Oshkosh.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Heartland Hospice and Waterford Place for the care given Donald. A special thank you to Haley (Waterford) and Debbie (Heartland) for the compassion and unwavering support they have shown in his last weeks.
If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.