Donald Charles Shankweiler Sr.

October 15, 1930 ~ October 3, 2010

Donald Charles Shankweiler Sr. of Greeley died Sunday, October 3, 2010 at North Colorado Medical Center.

He was born October 15, 1930 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to LeRoy and Margarette (Devers) Shankweiler. He was raised and attended Allentown High School. He graduated with the class of 1948.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation. He spent 30 years traveling worldwide, and did tours in Europe, Middle East and the Far East and Stateside. He received the Bronze Star for Action in Vietnam and the Air Force Meritorious service Medal. He retired from the Air Force July 1, 1978 as a Sr. Master Sergeant Headquarters Tac USAF, upon his retirement he held a Master Instructor rating in Air Traffic Control Radar Systems.

On April 14, 1951, Don married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Sachs of Allentown, Pennsylvania. They had 5 children, Deborah, Don Jr. Mark and Thomas and Michael. She and the children traveled with him to many of the Air Force stations.

After the Air Force retirement, he worked for Metric System Corporation in Fort Walton Beach, Florida as a Radar Engineer, retiring in January 1993.

Don was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greeley. He was a Mass greeter for several years. He was a lifetime member of the D.A.V. and Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent De Paul Society, scouting and a member of the Weld County Veterans Association. He enjoyed building and flying remote control aircraft. He was an excellent woodworking craftsman and enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife Patricia of almost 60 years; daughter Deborah and husband Robert Clemons of Birmingham, Alabama; three sons Don Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, Mark and wife Suzi of Thornton, and Thomas and wife Alexandria of Torrance, California; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Leroy, Richard and Charles and a son Michael John.

Memorial service 9:15 a.m. Thursday at Stoddard Funeral Home. Inurnment at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VA, American Heart Association or Wounded Warriors in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634.

Please visit www.stoddardsunset.com to sign online guestbook.