Donald N. Esselman, "Don," 85, of Port Washington died peacefully with his family at his side on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. 

He was born on Dec. 11, 1925, in Trenton to the late Frank and Mary Laufer Esselman and worked on the family farm. He was a private in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving from November 1945 until April 1947. 

On June 19, 1948, he was united in marriage to Charlotte Schultz of Saukville at Holy Trinity Church in Newburg. They resided in the town of Port Washington and started a family of eight children. In 1965 they moved to Port Washington, remaining on Van Buren Street over 47 years. 

Don was a metal fabricator for Modern Equipment Mfg. Company of Port Washington over 20 years, retiring in 1982. He later was a clerk for Drew’s True Value Hardware Store in Port Washington for another 20 years. In the meantime he had been an Ozaukee County Deputy Volunteer with Sheriff Helm. Don was a lifetime member of the Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470 of Saukville. 

One of his proudest moments was on Nov. 6, 2010, when he traveled to Washington D.C. with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight for WWII veterans to visit the WWII War monument and other sights. 

He will be remembered as one who could fix anything, enjoyed a great game of Sheepshead and yelling BINGO. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Charlotte, his eight children Gordon (Bonnie) Esselman of Port Washington, Gary Esselman of Pembine, Gayle Gallipeau of Saukville, Gregg (Tina) Essleman of Dousman, Geralyn Esselman of Port Washington, Gene Esselman of Cedar Grove, Gloriann Esselman of Kimberly and Glenn (Beth) Esselman of Port Washington, two sisters Cecilia (the late Floyd) Menzel and Rosalie (the late Al and the late Wally Beimborn) Westphal, both of West Bend; brother-in-law of Audrey (Roger) Geib of Saukville, Mildred (Ralph) Wegner of Grafton, Renatta (the late Harold) Schultz of Rochester, Minn., Lester (Carol) Schultz of Cedar Grove, Earl (Helen) Schultz of Grass Valley, CA and Donald (the late Karen) Schultz of West Bend, further survived by 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Laura (Clarence) Reichart, Hildegard (Albert) Luebke, Marcella (Lawrence) Blazel, Thecla (Leroy) Fischer, Marion (Forest Miller and Ben Jamrosy); two brothers Gregory and Norman Esselman and his mother and father-in-law Mamie and Herbert Schultz. 

A memorial service will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Poole Funderal Home, 203 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington. 

Members of the Landt-Thiel American Legion Post 470 of Saukville will provide services. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Final interment will take place at the Lakefield Cemetery, Lakefield, town of Grafton. 

Memorials to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, PO Box 636, Port Washington, WI 53074 are appreciated. 

Information and condolences available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431. 
 
The family would like to thank the staff of Aurora Visiting Nurses Association Hospice for their loving care and Dr. Corey Shamah and oncology staff at Aurora Advanced Healthcare.