Donald R. Shaul

DEERFIELD Don Shaul sailed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 to join his shipmates from the Julia Ward Howe. Don was born in Sauk City to Ernest and Lucinda (Layton) Shaul on October 8, 1924. His mother died when he was four at which time he became orphaned along with his two brothers and one sister. They spent time in foster care with the Eagans and Olif Poast and attended Highland Mendota Beach School and Middleton High School. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Middleton. At age 17 he joined the Navy. His ship, Julia Ward Howe, was sunk on its way to Africa on January 14, 1943, which he survived and was taken prisoner in the Azores until his release in 1944. He spent time in various countries aboard several ships and returned to the states at the close of war aboard the Yorktown. He was then transferred to the Great Lakes Naval Reserve where he met and married his wife of 66 ½ years, Joan Olson on the day he was discharged, December 13, 1945. Together they raised two children; son Michael and daughter, Kimberly. He was employed at the Kroger Company and later Great Plains Gas Company. He retired in 1969 to continue farming which he loved, and wor...[more]

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ed part-time for Brooks Imp. Co. Don loved "The West" and spent 43 winters in Sun City, AZ until his illness took over. He made his yearly trip to Boys Town, NE to sing with the Barbershop Quartet--which was a continued reunion of survivors of the Julia Ward Howe. He enjoyed boating, cycle riding, the big farm equipment and his grandchildren. Don is survived by his loving wife, Joan; son Michael; daughter, Kimberly; 3 grandchildren: Brent Shaul and Andrea and Michael Hepfinger; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Clayton, Lucille, Earl, Harold, Victor, Kenneth, Marie, Irene, and Virginia. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church, 3494 Oak Park Rd, Deerfield with Rev. Dick Blomker officiating. Family will greet friends at Cress Funeral Home, 201 Bue St., Deerfield on Friday, October 26, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday at church one hour prior to service. Burial with military honors will be in Hauge Cemetery, Deerfield with a luncheon to follow the St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Ed. Bldg. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church or Boys Town Nebraska/Iowa.