OREGON, Wisconsin - Donald E. Wernick, age 82, died on Friday, July 11, 2003, at Oregon Manor Nursing Home. He was born on February 20, 1921, in Lodi, the son of Herbert and Lucy (Wheeler) Wernick.

Donald graduated from Madison East High School in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Donald married Eleanor Struck on April 28, 1946, in Madison. He was in the auto body field his entire life, retiring as an instructor at Madison Area Technical College. Donald was also an antique car collector.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; three children, Marc (Marge, Mick (Linda), and Mary Lawry, all of Oregon; nine grandchildren, Jackie and Jessica Wernick, Lori (Rodney) Recker, Paula Wernick, Michele (Jason) Wernick, Shaun Wernick, Brian Lawry, Aaron (Molly) Lawry, and Andy (Kelly) Lawry; three great-grandchildren, Taylor Wernick, Noah and Elizabeth Recker; sisters, Marion Sodergren, Ruth Carl, and Sandra (Jim) Siehr; a brother, Richard (Irene) Wernick; and a step-brother, Bob (Betty) Storie.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Bob Storie; and a son-in-law, Steve Lawry.

Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2003, with the Rev. Steven Ristau Hanson presiding. Burial will be in Prairie Mound Cemetery.

[courtesy of "McFarland"]

Grave marker for  Donald E. Wernick in the Prairie Mound Cemetery, Oregon (Dane county), Wisconsin.

Donald enlisted at Ft McPherson, Atlanta, GA on 4 January 1940.  His initial military career is unknown.

In fact, SSgt Wernick's name only appears on 508th PIR records when Special Order 141 transferred him from Company F to the 513th PIR.