Married Donna on July 8, 1962; parents of Donald Jr., Daniel, DeAnn, and Debra- Donald L. Abitz Sr., 57, of W1854 Deerborn Drive, Town of Crystal Lake, Neshkoro, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000, at his residence. He was born May 8, 1943, in Fond du Lac, a son of Wilmer and Agnes Ritchie Abitz. On July 18, 1962, he married Donna J. Snyder in Fond du Lac. Mr. Abitz was an employee of Plumbers and Fitters Local 206 and Local 400 for 36 years. He was a certified welder for 36 years, a welding instructor for 16 years and on the Local 206 Executive Board for 18 years. He had been a delegate to the State Pipe Trades Convention for 15 years, and the Fond du -Lac Labor Council for 25 years. Donald graduated from UA Training School in 1996, and was involved in several other organizations, including Eagles Aerie 270. Survivors include his wife; one son, Donald Abitz Jr. and his companion, Theresa Sculley of Fond du Lac; two daughters, DeAnn Grapentine and her husband Mike of Fond du Lac, and Debra Abitz and her companion, Chris Lahn of Fond du Lac: four grandchildren, Daniel Abitz, Alicia Abitz, Bobbie Lahn and Ambre Abitz; six brothers, Wilmer Abitz Jr. and his wife Arlene of Fond du Lac, Robert Abitz and his wife Terry of New Jersey, Arthur Abitz and his wife Cheryl of Fond du Lac", Dennis Abitz and his wife Sherry of Fond du Lac, Randall Abitz and his wife Deborah of Fond du Lac and Mark Abitz and his companion Angela of Fond du Lac; three sisters, Patricia Smith and her husband Lee of Fond du Lac, Gloria Struzynski and her husband Richard of Westfield, Wis. and Carol Oechsner and her husband James of Fond du Lac; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Jeff Abitz; his parents; a brother, Clarence "Click"; and a niece, Wendy Lee Smith. Services: Funeral services will be held at 1 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, with the Rev. Richard Weikel and the Rev. Martin Koehler officiating. Cremation will follow the services. ' Visitation: Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the funeral home. A memorial has been established. He will be deeply missed. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is serving the family. www.Legacy.com The Reporter Fond du Lac, Wis. Dec. 14, 2000
Contributor: Betty Thurk Babler (47501219)