87, of Menomonee Falls WI, passed away on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 after 8 years of loving care at Silverado Oak Village and final hospice care with Seasons. 

Donald was the husband of Virginia; father of Robin (Michael) Price and Michael (Lea) Mechelke Andrew; grandfather of Matt (Heather) Price, Andrea (Shawn) Rankin, and Thomas Andrew; and great grandfather to Morgan, Brooke, Macy, Owen, and Stella.

  President of D.M. Builders and D.M. Realty, “Don” built over 3,000 homes in Metropolitan Milwaukee and Jupiter, Florida including Devonwood, Eastwood, and “Tamarack” subdivisions in Menomonee Falls; Pheasant Run subdivision in Milwaukee, The Young America Club Apartments in Milwaukee; Villa Vista Condominiums in Menomonee Falls; and many other homes throughout the Milwaukee area and Jupiter, Florida.

 He was a president of the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club as well as director of the Metropolitan Builders Association.

 Don was known as a “star athlete” in high school; he was the captain of many teams. One coach started calling him “Mech” and that evolved  into “Mike,” a nickname that stuck through High School and College.

 A Physical Education Major, Don graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1951.  He proudly served in the Army attaining the rank of Captain.  After serving, he returned to his home town of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, coached high school sports and took on a variety of odd jobs before finding his niche selling insurance, real estate, and starting his real estate and development companies.

He enjoyed the creativity of developing subdivisions, homes, condominiums, and apartments and always approached his developments with the latest innovations and the finest techniques and materials. His pride in workmanship and integrity became the trademarks of his companies. 

Don was also known for being the life of the party and a wonderful social host and friend. He loved to sing and was known to sit in with the band at the Fountainbleu Hotel lobby in Miami (among other places). His traveling compadres loved to talk about his antics as Don lead them though some exciting adventures with his charismatic personality and his exceptional sense of humor. His passions for golf, card games, and friendships were expressed regularly at North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls.

In the 70s he developed several multifamily projects in Jupiter Florida after building and selling units in a condominium on Jupiter Island along with many of his Milwaukee friends. The Condo became a home away from home for Don, his family, and many Wisconsinites who celebrated holidays together there and enjoyed friendships and family.

Another passion of Don’s was his remote controlled model airplane hobby; he built the models in his workshop and flew them (and sometimes crashed them) on the weekends in the model airplane airfields in Waukesha and Menomonee Falls. He was president of the Pebble Creek Flyers and a member of the Flying Electrons Radio Controlled Flying Club.

Visitation at the Funeral Home Saturday May 14, 2016 from 3:00PM until Memory Service at 5:00PM

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are appreciated.