Donald E. Shirek, 71

Donald E. Shirek, 71, of Buena Vista, passed away peacefully on Sept. 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Donald was born June 1, 1954, in Marshfield to the late Frank and Tillie (née Vakoc) Shirek. He grew up on the family farm in Milladore. He attended the local grade school, was among the first class to attend Ben Franklin Junior High, and was among the first class to attend Stevens Point Area Senior High School, graduating in 1972.

Donald married Barbara J. Kurzinski on Sept. 29, 1979, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dancy.

In his earlier years, Donald worked various jobs. His employers included the Town of Eau Pleine, Consolidated Papers, Pre Way, Del Monte, and the Wisconsin Rapids School District. He later became a custodian for UW-Stevens Point and the Stevens Point School District, where he committed the rest of his career. He retired in 2008 after years of dedication.

Donald was a proud husband, father, and grandfather. Family was very important to him, and he relished time spent with them. He loved watching and playing sports, gardening, snowmobiling, or just being outside. In his spare time, Donald enjoyed hunting and fishing. As a child, he was a member of 4-H and later a proud member of the AFSCME union. He loved tending to his yard, especially cutting the grass. He also enjoyed relaxing and watching SpongeBob with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; daughters, Melanie (Sonny) Raikowski, Jennifer Shirek and Kate Shirek; son, Timothy (Amber) Shirek; 11 grandchildren; sisters, Sharon (Bob) Hollar and Janice (Len) Rozek; brother, Dale (Karen) Shirek; sisters-in-law, Phylis Shirek, Jeanette Shirek and Pat Oligney; mother-in-law, Sharon Kurzinski; brothers-in-law, Dennis Danczyk, Mike (Michelle) Kurzinski and Steve (Jenny) Kurzinski; many nieces and nephews; and godchildren, Wendy Lane, Kasey Sandev and Gail Ehn.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brothers Butch and Gary Shirek, sister Ruth Danczyk, and father-in-law, Sylvester Kurzinski.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

The family extends thanks to Heartland Hospice, especially Tina and Marissa; Pastor Josh Baumann for his comfort; the medical staff at Aspirus Wausau and Stevens Point; and a special thanks to Jimmy Vakoc for keeping his promise.

“Never get too busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”