Donald L. Lyon

Donald L. "Don" Lyon 72, Weston, died Weds. February 4, 2009 at St. Claire's Hospital, Weston. He was born November 20, 1936, in Wausau, son of the late Lewis and Loretta (Stieber) Lyon. On May 18, 1957, he married Ruth Koepp. She survives. Don was a 1955 graduate of D.C. Everest High School, and then was employed at Weyerhauser in Rothschild. In 1955 he joined the Wisconsin National Guard, 32nd Division and retired from the Guard in 1975. He served during the Berlin Crisis at Fort Lewis, Washington from 1961 until 1962. While at Fort Lewis, he served as "Honor Guard" for President John F. Kennedy. Don graduated from the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy in 1968 as a trooper, an enforcer of Wisconsin traffic laws, retiring in 1992. During that time, he served as a Commandant at the Academy in 1973, receiving many awards from the State Patrol, but the one he was most proud of was the Certificate of Meritorious Award "Conferred by the Division of State Patrol for professional conduct exemplified by 24 years of safe driving". He also qualified as a distinguished expert on the State Pistol Team and served as an Accident Investigator. For many years, Don taught police recruits at NTC and UWSP for many years. He loved playing area sports such as basketball and softball. His favorite was watching his grandchildren play sports and watching their activities.The Lyons moved from the home they built in Hatley in 1981 to Weston in July of 2007. Through the years, Don and Ruth thoroughly enjoyed playing cards with their special friends, Kay & Ron Moesch and Annette & Larry Bindl. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Lyon, Weston, five children, Lance (Lori) Lyon, Wausau, Laurie (Eric) Ellis, Virginia, Linda (Todd) Beck, Wausau, Lou Ann (Steve) Gille, Merrill and Lisa Hoekstra, Weston, 12 grandchildren, Ross, Tyler & Aaron Lyon, Christopher & Ericka Ellis, Nathan & Nicholas Beck, Amanda (Adam) Scholes, Adam (Heather) Krueger, Jordan, Joshua & Jared Hoekstra, three siblings, Jeri (Walter) Voight, Sussex, Stanley Lyon, Rhinelander and Mark(Barbara) Lyon, Weston. Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his favorite aunt and uncle, Johanna and Conrad Kleinschmidt. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday February 9, 2009 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston. Rev. Joseph Rafacz will preside. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Sunday from 4 - 7 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston and again on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com Don's favorite saying after visiting someone was "I was here last, now it's your turn".