- Donald Paul Ribarchek, 86, Green Bay, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. Don was born in Two Rivers, on Dec. 26, 1924, to John Paul "Jack" and Eunice May (Remmel) Ribarchek. The family moved to Wrightstown where Don graduated from Wrightstown High School in 1942.Don served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines initially during the Liberation and in 1945, landed in Sendai, Japan, and was assigned to Army Headquarters in Yamagata, Japan. He was discharged as a Sergeant in February of 1946. On Nov. 24, 1953, Donald married Bette Stephan in Wrightstown.
Having served as a mail clerk and company clerk in the army, Don was primed for an eventual career in the U. S. Postal Service where he worked for 30 years and saw many changes. He started out sorting mail on the trains between Green Bay and either Chicago or Escanaba in the days when the small towns had their mail bag picked up by the train as it passed by! Over the years, he sorted mail on the HYPO 400 (Highway Post Office) and eventually finished out his career at the "Old" Green Bay Post Office on Walnut St.
In his retirement, he worked for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, and for several years, with his wife Bette, managed two different resorts in Door County. Don loved bowling, golfing and a good game of Spinner, and was one of the fans who really did attend the 1967 Ice Bowl.
Don is survived by his wife, Bette (Stephan); a son, Danny "Vinnie" Ribarchek (Missy Standard); a daughter, Jackie Nytes (Michael O'Brien); and grandsons, Sam Ribarchek and Patrick O'Brien; his brothers, Robert Ribarchek, Little Chute; Barney Ribarchek (Rita), Wrightstown; Dorothy Gibson, Burlington; and Gladys Good, Hazlehurst; and a sister in law, Carol Ribarchek.
He will also be greatly missed by Cleo and Hilary Swiechowski, Menasha; Jerry Nytes, Alice Nytes, and Tom and Tess Roberts, Kaukauna; Judy Kuffel, Green Bay; and Phyllis Ambrosius, De Pere.
Don was preceded in death by his brother, John "Steve" Ribarchek.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Friends may also call at St. Joseph Catholic Church, corner of Ninth St. and 12th Ave., from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Donald Everts officiating. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
The family would like to offer a special word of gratitude to the wonderful staff of Unity Hospice and to Cheryl Behler for the wonderful compassion, care and understanding they offered during Don's illness.
Anyone interested in making an offering in Don's memory, should consider a gift to the N. E. W. Curative Rehabilitation Center where many Alzheimer's patients are embraced, or to your local diabetes association.
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1924 - 2011 (86 years)
Education - High School
