Donald M. Sabel

Donald M. Sabel, 93, of Fond du Lac, died on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at St. Francis Home. He was born on June 18, 1931, in Fond du Lac, the son of Benedict and Marcella (Guelig) Sabel. On October 20, 1956, he married Lois Bukowski at St. John the Baptist Church, Princeton, WI. Donald proudly served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church for 49 years, Holy Family Parish, the Eagles Club, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, a scout leader in the Boy Scouts, and Izaak Walton. Donald was very proud of his two grandsons becoming Eagle Scouts. As a born mechanic, he used those skills at Wright Bros. for over 50 years and to help others. He was an avid gardener and always a farmer at heart. In his spare time, he liked traveling, hunting with his family, volunteering at EAA, going to the casino, playing cards and spending time with his family. 

He is survived by his wife, Lois; five children, Randy (Jeanne) Sabel, Laurie Sabel, Geriann (Joe) Heath, Dawn (Steve) Skala, and Denise Sabel; eleven grandchildren, Nathan (Tracy) Wilhelms, Brian (Lydia) Wilhelms, Laura Wilhelms, Anne Wilhelms, Ben (Kelly) Sabel, Emma (Bryan) Herlache, James Heath, Nick Heath, Jennifer Skala, Leigh Skala, and Steve Skala; eight great grandchildren; Alexa Wilhelms, Aiden Wilhelms, Ethan Wilhelms, Riley Savrsnik, Jackson Wilhelms, Madelyn Sager, Eleanor Herlache, and Maeve Herlache; two siblings, Gordon (Inez) Sabel and Agnes Perry; grandson-in-law, Chris Sager; two sisters-in-law, Rosann Johnson and Ardis Sabel; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sharon (Tom) Wilhelms; granddaughter, Megan Sager; five brothers, Gilbert (Dorothy), Charles (Nora), Harold, Oscar (Myrtle), and Richard Sabel; two sisters, Marie (Lawrence) Kraus and Gladys (Gerald) Lagenfeld; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Johnson and Donald Perry. 

Donald shared a lifetime with additional loved ones, including the Hoepfner family, Maeghan Boswell, Alexander Brown, Austin Hundley, and the St. Patrick’s community.

The visitation will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home and again on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at church at 11:00 AM. Entombment will occur at Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital or St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac.

The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff and community at St. Francis Home for their care, compassion, and friendship. 

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com