Biography

Donald J. Birling, age 83, passed away on Monday, July 26, 2010. He was born on June 6, 1927 in Neenah; son of the late George and Eva (Dietz) Birling. Don was united in marriage to the love of his life, Myrtle Schmalz, on September 25, 1948 and had spent 62 ½ years together before her death on March 28, 2010. He graduated from St. Mary High School in Menasha. Upon graduation, Don entered the US Army, serving his country during the end of WWII. He then went on to Vocational School for one year for TV repair. In 1958, Don started farming dairy and beef cattle, and then horses. Between farming he had worked for Marathon, fixed televisions, and then worked for Miller Electric and had retired from there. In his retirement he and his wife owned and operated Timberlane Corral where they boarded and raised horses. They were also members of the High Cliff Ridge Riders. Snowmobiling, ATV riding, and fixing tractors, were a couple of the things Don liked to do on his land. He also liked to plant whatever he could find to plant. He had a special talent in playing the guitar. He was a member of the Sherwood Lions and also the Knights of Columbus.
Don will be missed by his loving children: George (Nancy) Birling, Shirley (Randy) Bauman, Kathy (special friend, Michael) Birling, Gary (fiancé, Laurie) Birling, Marilyn (Carl) Lamers, Tim (Bobbi Jo) Birling, Randy (Dawn) Birling, Vicki Weinaug, and Linda (Eddie) Davidson; 26 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers: Helen Werner, Jerry Birling, Barbara (Jay) Leimer, Dan (Debbie) Birling; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Birling and Sandra Birling; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Weinaug; a great-granddaughter, Lauren Bauman; brothers: Bob and Lenny Birling; a brother-in-law, Bud Werner, and a sister-in-law, Marge Birling.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 30, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 528 Second Street, Menasha, with Fr. Paul Radetski officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, July 29, from 4:00 until 7:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm, at Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home, 312 Milwaukee Street, Menasha. Visitation will again be on Friday morning from 9:30 am until the time of the service at the church. Interment will take place at Holy Angels Cemetery in Darboy.

Visitation

Friday July 30, 2010, 9:30 - 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church
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Funeral Mass

Friday July 30, 2010, 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church
Click for Map and Directions

Visitation

Thursday July 29, 2010, 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home
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Prayer Service

Thursday July 29, 2010, 7:00 PM at Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home
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