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Obituary for Donald Stanley Wieczorek
Don Wieczorek passed away at 1:40 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2015,. Under in-home hospice care for only 2 days, he fell asleep comfortably while surrounded by his family. He was never alone for a minute while at home. Family took shifts holding his hands and he had several friends visit whom he acknowledged with a smile or “thank you.” He was born in Chicago, IL on Sept. 26, 1933 to Stanley and Emily (Kielczewski) Wieczorek. Don taught upper level mathematics for over 50 years, his last assignment was at Rogue Community College. One adult realtor wrote him a note on her last day, reading “Mr. Wieczorek, thank you so much for making us live up to your standards. “ He was the first chosen Fulbright Exchange Teacher to Australia, where he made and kept several mates for life. While living in Dana Point, CA, he began his 30 year career with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was elected Commander of Flotilla 2-2, then Division Captain of the Eleventh Division, and finally appointed National Staff Officer by the National Commodore. He was also a Founding Member of the Department of Homeland Security. His proudest moment was, while patrolling off the coast of Los Angeles in 1984 for the Olympic Games, he pulled over an L.A. County Sheriff’s patrol boat for not flying the correct colors of the day. Soon after arriving in Oregon after his retirement from active service, Don and his wife Ardell volunteered and patrolled in uniform for the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, where Sheriff Dave Daniel promoted him to Corporal for his dedication and work ethic. Vigilance at all County Parks and Boat Ramps cut “smash and dash” vandalism from over 100 break-ins a year to 1 or 2. The summer before moving from Merlin, OR to Harbor, OR, Don and Ardell served as Camp Hosts at Harris Beach State Park. Don was a devout Catholic his entire life and at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, he was a Reader and regular volunteer at the Wednesday Community Kitchen. He was also the photographer and co-publisher of their Church Directory. This great servant of the people has definitely left a mark of excellence on our country. May he now Rest in Peace. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ardell Georgette (Arnum) Wieczorek, daughters, Kaycee Marie Kleinhammer, Julie Lynn Johnson, and son, Mark Donald Wieczorek; also by sisters, Bernadine Wurm, and Rose Marie DiSisto; Grandsons: Jared and Austin Johnson, Maximilian Kolbe Wieczorek and granddaughters: Ashlee and Krista Kleinhammer, Brianne Georgette Wieczorek. He was preceded in death by sister Dolores Zimmerman. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 26, 2015 followed by a Memorial Mass at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 820 Old County Road, Brookings. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.
