"North Avenue won?t feel the same. Driving down the road we expected to see Don walking. He always had a wave for us. We appreciated Don?s mentorship of our son in National Guard service. Good guy. I?m sure he will be missed by family and friends. "
In loving memory of
Donald Simon
March 5, 1942 - December 27, 2024
Donald Carl Simon, age 82, of Antigo, died on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Aspirus Langlade Hospital. He was born on March 5, 1942 in Antigo, a son of the late Carl and Edith (Walker) Simon. He married Rita Stefl on August 6, 1966 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Deerbrook.
He was a 1960 graduate of Antigo High School.
Don was a First Sergeant in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, proudly serving for 32 years. He worked for many years at Kommer's Hardware Store, and later at Vulcan Corp and Kretz Lumber.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, having served as an Elder, on the church board, and as financial secretary. He was a charter member of the Antigo Optimist Club, having chaired the Bike Rodeo for many years.
Don enjoyed downhill skiing, golfing and watching sports especially the Green Bay Packers. He could fix anything and was the lawnmower and snow blower of the neighborhood.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Rita; three daughters, Sandra (Keith) Casey of Oshkosh, Pamela (Shawn) Peters of Stevens Point, and Wendy (Kyle) Christianson of Custer; six grandchildren, Ashlyn (Kaleb) Wilbert of Kansas City, MO, Alyssa Casey of Bozeman, MT, Seth and Anna Peters of Stevens Point, Elise and Elliot Christianson of Custer; a sister, Alice (Joe) Zuelsdorff of Merrill; two brothers, Jerome Simon and Kenneth (Karen) Simon both of Arizona; and sisters-in-law, Beverly Bostwick and Marilyn (Ed) Shimeck of Reno, NV.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Carnan Simon; twin-brother, Ronald Simon; brothers, Roger and Conrad Simon; sisters-in-law, Audrey, Barbara and Kay Simon; and a brother-in-law, Larry Nelson.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Deerbrook with Rev. Paul Radke officiating. Burial will take place in the Neva Bohemia National Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday, December 30 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.
Military honors will be held at the church following the service.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Cancer Center and Aspirus Langlade Hospital for the wonderful care given to Don.
Memorials may be directed to the Langlade County Humane Society www.langladecountyhumanesociety.org or REGI (Rapture Education Group, Inc) www.raptoreducationgroup.org
Tributes
"I served with 1SG Simon for a few years during our time in Bravo Company. Don was a fair and respectful man and Soldier. Rest in Peace, Top."
"I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. When I was a member at St. Matthews Don and I were on the board together. We had many discussions and many ideas that we both agreed on. Don was an amazing man, and he will be missed. My condolences to the family."
"My sympathies at the loss of Don. I remember him from birthday parties for Sandra at your house. I'm sure I spoke with him at Kommers as well. Peace to all of you."
"I had the pleasure of working with Don at Aspirus Wausau hospital on two different occasions. He was a ball of energy from the early morning until he went to sleep. We reminisced about National Guard where her and my father (Gerald/Jerry Igl) served together. We laughed about the time of the Berlin Crisis, when the Wisconsin division drank all the beer at the city they were stationed in, lol. The guards sent a truck load of just beer, when they heard the news. (((HUGS))) To his wife Anna family. Sarah Goetsch"
"I served with First Sergeant Simon for nine years. I found him to be a kind, fair, and all-together decent man. Rest in peace, Top."
"Our sympathy to Don's family. I'm John and Vivian Simon's daughter (the other Pam Simon). Don was always so kind. Years after I moved away, he'd remember us when we drove into the fairgrounds, or any place we'd happen to run into him! He was a special person/cousin. May God give you peace and strength. With love, Pam and John Roffler "
"What a LOT of good souls God is collecting. Don and Rita and girls and the whole family have our sincerest caring thoughts and great memories to always remember. Hugs, Sissee and Jerry Igl"