Age 87 ~ Passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at his home in Rio Verde, Arizona. Don was born to Cecelia and John Joseph Eichler in Slayton, Minnesota on June 7, 1928, and the family lived in Avoca, Minnesota. Upon graduating from Slayton High School, Don served in the Marine Corp from 1946 to 1948. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1952 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. Don spent his career in the glass industry. He started at Harmon Glass in 1954. Don became president of Harmon glass in 1962 and later served as president of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. Don also served as a Director of the National Glass Dealers Association; he retired in 1972. Don was married to Mary Jo Deutz in 1953; they were married 62 years. Together they raised six children. Don enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing and time with his family. Don is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, daughter Mary C. Eichler, daughter Gerri and her husband Ed Scanlon, son Ed and his wife Cindy, son John P. Eichler and son Michael D. Eichler, along with twelve grandchildren, Jenny Minnick, Joe and his wife Melissa, Matt and Marc Scanlon, Nick, Connor and Riley Eichler, Adam Marks, John, Matthew, Patrick and Mary Patrice Eichler, and great grandchild, John Scanlon, son of Melissa and Joe Scanlon. Don is preceded in death by his daughter, Theresa, parents Cecelia and John, and his sister Margaret Blue. The family will celebrate Don's life with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Chapel, at the St. Paul Seminary on the south campus of the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN on August 15, 2015 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities at SDS 12-2961 PO Box 86, Minneapolis, MN 55486-2961, TLC Options for Women at 525 Thomas Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103, or San Alfonso Mission at P.O. Box 745876, Arvada, CO 80006.
Published in Pioneer Press on Aug. 6, 2015