Donald Bares

    Mr. Don Bares of Belgium passed away at Gables on The Pond in Random Lake Wednesday evening, Dec. 15, 2021. He was 91 years old.
     Donald was born in the Town of Belgium on Feb. 9, 1930, the son of Louis and Margaret Schueller Bares.  
     On June 11, 1955, Don was united in marriage with Beatrice Altenbach at Holy Cross Catholic Church. The couple settled near the family homestead in the Town of Belgium and raised their family of five children.
    Beatrice preceded him in death in 1997.
    On Nov. 25, 1999, he married Juliette Griksas Turenne. She preceded him in death on Dec. 3 of this year.
     Mr. Bares was the owner–operator of Wayside Collision and Bares Enterprises in Belgium, a member of the Melvin Wester Memorial American Legion Post 412 in Belgium, as well as a lifetime member of Divine Savior–Holy Cross Parish.  
    Throughout his life, his hobbies included auto racing, woodworking, snowmobiling and restoring antique tractors.  
    In 1991, Don and Beatrice served as the duke and duchess of the Luxembourg Festival in Belgium.
    Survivors include his children Gary (Pam) Bares, Nancy (George) Turenne, Bruce (Elizabeth) Bares, Rita (Tom) Theis and Jay (Lori) Bares; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and stepchildren Kathryn (Joseph) Jacque, Judith (James) Sandee, Darlene (Tim) Rothe, Gary Turenne, Debra (Rick) Pawling, Connie (Jacob) Den Boer and Robert (Tracey) Turenne.
    He is further survived by sisters Betty (the late Gene) Gottsacker of Shawano and Dorothy (the late Mike) Harrington of Port Washington; sisters-in-law Leona Bares of Fredonia, and Kathleen, Mary and Regina Bares, all of the Town of Belgium; nieces; nephews; other family and friends.
    Don was preceded in death by wives Beatrice and Juliette and brothers Robert, Kenneth, Eugene and Bert Bares.
     A Liturgy of the Word service will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Divine Savior Parish-Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 Hwy. B, Belgium, followed by military honors. Father Gideon Buya will preside at the service.  
    The family will receive visitors at the church on Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m.  
    Don will be laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery the following day.
     Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers.
     Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.