Obituary: Donald E. "Don" Beale - Class of 1955

MADISON  - Donald E. "Don" Beale, age 75, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on Jan. 30, 1937, in Madison, the son of Erwin and Romana (Dietrich) Beale. Don graduated from Central High School in 1955, where he excelled in athletics. He was named all-city in baseball, basketball and football. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 in South Korea. Don married Yvonne Pedracine on Aug. 16, 1958. He received a Police Science Degree from MATC. He served on the University of Wisconsin Police Department from 1960 to 1991, retiring as a detective with the department. Upon retiring, Don worked part-time at the U.S. Federal Courthouse as a security guard and enjoyed mentoring youth in The First Tee golf program. He spent a lifetime enjoying sports, especially golf since his retirement. He was a loving dad, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by family and friends. He was always optimistic and always there for his family. Don is survived by his wife, Yvonne; four sons, Greg (Nancy), Gary (Denise Davenport), Kevin (Cory) and Alan (Kelley Harbort); five grandsons, Nick (Brianna), Justin, Jordan, Mike and Shane; nine step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Kyle Wrend, Jesse Hauser, Jayme and Jenee Davenport, Destiny, Jaymeson, Ashton, Gavin and Jesse; two sisters, Lola Cator and Virginia (Joe) Meitner; and brother Tom (Deane). He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Romana Beale; sister, Mona Wallace; and brothers-in-law, Robert Wallace, LaVerne Cator and James Lumina. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012, at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 12 noon. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Inurnment will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012, at SUNSET MEMORY GARDENS at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or to St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704. Don's family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice for their loving care.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 20, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)