Joseph Donald Donalies

Joseph “Joe” Donald Donalies, age 84, died peacefully on December 18th, 2025 at home with his wife by his side after a courageous battle with vascular dementia. He fought with dignity and grace until the end. We’d like to thank VITAS Home Hospice and Dr David Munoz for the care and support they provided.

Joe was born July 5, 1941, in Sharon, PA. to Henry Charles and Elda Meta Katarina (née: Rasmussen) Donalies. Following his graduation in 1959 at St. Catherine's High, Racine, WI, Joe married his previous wife, Doris Reesman, and had four children together. He attended Lewis College of Science and Technology in Lockport, Ill. where he received his aviation mechanics degree and pilots license in 1961. He was employed for 36 years at Daimler Chrysler Corporation and retired as a layout inspector in 2006.

In 1965, Joe proudly marched with 'The Boys of '76 Drum and Bugle Corps' at national competitions across the country; most notably in St. Louis, MO, the year the St. Louis's Gateway Arch was completed. He was an avid reader, prolific writer and poet who mastered the sonnet form. Joe enjoyed participating in area writers' clubs and is accredited for being a sonneteer with over 500 sonnets.

For several years, he volunteered to teach the sonnet form to seventh and eighth-grade students at Kansasville School. His appreciation for helping others was also reflected in initiating and completing a 103-mile bike ride to raise money for his church. Joe's love for reading, fishing, hunting, flying, motorcycling and boating were only preceded by his profound love and devotion to his spouse and family. He was a man of integrity and his love, humor and light-hearted profoundness will be greatly missed.

Joe is preceded in death by his father, Henry Charles, and mother, Elda Katherina, along with brothers John Charles (Jack), Regis S. Homer (Bud), Roger Ernest, James Dale (Jim) and sister Mary Ann (Sis) Busan. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Christine Marie (née: Reader-Kosler) Donalies; his six children: Donna Doughty, Diane (John) Renteria, Lynda Bowman (John Strasser), David Donalies, Chad (Raechel) Kosler, Melissa (Daniel) Cesarz; seven grandchildren: Brenton Doughty, Kyle Stich, Cleighton (Sky) Renteria, Bennett Cesarz, Arabella Kosler, Evelyn Cesarz and Bryton Kosler and three great-grandchildren: Elainna Doughty, Avery Stich and Brayden Stich.

A wake and smaller service will be held on December 28, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 pm (service at 3 pm) at Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St., Racine, WI 53403. His life will be celebrated by family and friends at a later date to be announced. Wisconsin's Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest was one of his favorite places; in lieu of flowers, please consider helping to restore this forest with a memorial gift of planted seedlings at www.alivingtribute.org.