Donald Lawrence Paradeis, 80, Spearfish, died Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital.

Visitation will be noon until 4 p.m. Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and resume one hour prior to services at the church in Spearfish.

A Wake and Christian Prayer service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish with Deacon Vern Rath officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish with Fr. Timothy Castor officiating. Burial will be 1 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

Donald Lawrence Paradeis was born January 10th, 1929 on a farmstead in Hanson County, South Dakota to Lawrence & Gertrude (Krempges) Paradeis. He grew up in the Epiphany area where he helped on the family farm and attended the school there through the 8th grade and later went on to earn his GED.

He entered the Army in 1951 where he received a Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars and a United Nations Service Medal. He was Honorably Discharged in 1953. Before and after the service Don worked at Wingens Garage in Epiphany.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Neises on October 14, 1953. To this union were born 4 children: William, Kathleen, Jeanette and Janel.

In 1966 he moved the family to Sioux Falls when he began working at Tri-State Implement. In 1977 they moved to Sturgis where he worked for Hersrud's until his retirement in the late 80's. He then moved to Spearfish where he continued using his mechanical skills.

Don managed the VFW Hall for many years in Spearfish. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Don was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He loved to play Bingo and play the slots on occasion. He also gave many volunteer hours to the Passion Play where he played many different parts.

Those having shared his life include his son William "Bill" of Sioux Falls, SD; 3 daughters, Kathy (Tim) Shelley of Gibsonia, PA, Jeanette (Paul) Staley of Sturgis, SD, Janel (Walt) Peoples of Glendale, AZ: 7 grandchildren: Jen, Niki and Stephanie Shelley; Sam and Doug Staley; Walter Jr. and Tyler Peoples.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers: Kenneth, Clifford and Charles and 1 sister Delphine.