SGM Donald D. McCormick, USA (Ret’d), 88, of Fort Wayne and formerly of Black River Falls
WI, died Monday November 27, 2023.
He was born in Black River Falls on April 18, 1935, the son of (the late) Raymond and Marcella
(Murray) McCormick. Donald, or “Donnie” as he was affectionately known to family & friends,
graduated from Black River Falls High School with the Class of ’53. He was an avid sportsman
and athlete; he participated in Basketball, Football and Track, and in his senior year was named
“Outstanding Athlete for 1953”. Donald went on to become a Park Ranger with the Wisconsin
Dept. of Natural Resources, retiring in 1990. He also had a proud military career, serving 42
years with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, from 1952-1995. While serving with the Guard,
he was mobilized to Ft. Lewis WA in support of the Berlin Crisis. In 1986, he participated in
REFORGER in Germany. He was a member of the American Legion Miles-Hagen Post 200 in
Black River Falls, where he served as Past-Commander, and also a member of American Legion
Post 439 in Melrose. He was a member of the Lions Club and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In Fort Wayne, he was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church.
Donald is survived by Margaret McCormick of Fort Wayne, his wife of 42 years, and his son
Patrick McCormick of Black River Falls; step-son, James (Suzanne) Zschernitz of Fort Wayne,
step-daughter, Jennifer Zschernitz of Cottage Grove WI, step-son, Jason (Kathy) Zschernitz of
Adams WI and step-daughter, Janet (Dave) Johnson of McFarland WI; grandchildren, Kathleen
Zschernitz of Columbus GA, Hailey (Michael) McBryde of Sun Prairie WI, Joshua Zschernitz
and Rose Zschernitz, both of Bluffton IN, Amanda (James) Hostetter of Minneapolis MN,
Audrey Johnson of Dalton GA, Eric Johnson of McFarland WI and great-grandchildren, Casper,
Iris and Lily. In addition to his parents, Donald was also preceded in death by his sister, Janet
Brill.
Private family services will be held in Fort Wayne, with arrangements through Divine Mercy
Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Kevin
Catholic Church in Melrose, WI on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11am. Friends may call during
visitation from 10am until the start of the Mass. Burial and military honors to follow in St.
Malachy Cemetery.
The family’s preferred memorials are Masses or donations to St. Jude Catholic School, 2130
Pemberton Dr., Fort Wayne IN, 46805.
Torgerson’s Funeral Service of Black River Falls is assisting with arrangements, 715-284-4321.
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