Donald Whitty

Donald Whitty, 79, of Byron, WI, departed this life on Sunday, September 18, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Donald was a lifelong resident of Byron, WI, son of Clark and Orena Whitty. He graduated from Lomira High School and the Moraine Park Technical College Apprenticeship Program. He was a US Army veteran. He spent his career as a carpenter and contractor, building many beautiful homes in the area. After retirement, he helped others by sharing his skills and expertise on dozens of builds with Fond du Lac Habitat for Humanity. He was an active member and past commander of the American Legion Post 347 and a founding member of the Town of Byron Veterans Memorial Committee.

Donald married Claudia Beitzel, the love of his life, in 1975. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Donald was a loving husband who always just wanted to make Claudia happy. Together they enjoyed their retirement and the time it allowed them to appreciate the beauty of the home and life they built together. They traveled the world together; in addition to visiting their children wherever they were living, they visited Alaska, Ireland, Japan, and New Zealand.

Anyone who even briefly met Donald was touched by his boundless generosity. He truly was a wonderful guy. No one was a stranger to him. He made everyone feel welcome and important. He was always willing to lend a hand and loved his house to be filled with laughing people. He showed his love with his hands—he built the home where he and his wife have lived since their marriage, led the renovations of St. John Catholic Church in the 1990s, and built cradles so his grandbabies had a place to sleep. In his younger years, he enjoyed fast cars and drag racing. And in later years could be found cruising around in his ‘62 Chevy Impala. He loved his family fiercely and was the best dad children could ask for. He loved taking naps with grandchildren and teaching them how to play Polish Poker.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, children Erin (Kevin) Kalish, Ryan (Anne) Whitty, Shannon (Joel) Boelhower, grandchildren Elizabeth, James and Mary Kalish, Adele and Ben Whitty, Kendra Whitty, and Samelia and Louis Boelhower; sister Patricia Nellessen, and many nieces and nephews.Donald was preceded in death by his parents Clark and Orena Whitty and his brother David.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, and again on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Sons of Zebedee Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, N3687 WI-175, Town of Bryon, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation on Friday at Church at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make donations to the Town of Byron Veterans Memorial and Habitat for Humanity International.

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