Donald E. Pelnar

JANESVILLE— Donald E. Pelnar, age 84, of Janesville, died on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center from pneumonia. He was born in Chicago, IL on April 25, 1933, the son of Ervin Albert and Dorothy (Welch) Pelnar. When he was four years old his mother was killed in a pedestrian/auto accident and he lived with his father and paternal grandmother. When he was twelve he went to live with his Aunt Blanch Barton. He graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School and Jr. College, in Cicero, IL. He graduated from Purdue University in 1956. Don served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp from Feb. 1956 to Feb. 1958, in White Sands Missile Range, Missile Test Support. He had worked at Ford Aerospace as a program manager setting up command centers and radar programs for missile testing for the U.S. Government. When the government contracts expired he retired. After 32 years in California he came to Wisconsin to be near family members. He worked as an investment broker and a financial advisor for PFS Investments in Walworth, WI. Don married Marilyn Kovar on Aug. 16, 1995, in Niagara Falls. He enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, cards, swimming and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Pelnar; son, Dean; daughter, Jana Pelnar of Texas; step daughter, Karen (John) Cox of Brodhead; step-son, Stan (Catherine) Kovar of Washington; granddaughter, Kaylin; step-grandchildren: Christopher Cox of Janesville, Stephanie (Johnny) Villarello of Janesville, Jennifer Cox of Janesville, Matthew Kovar of Washington, Andrew Kovar of Kentucky, Kathryn (Jarrod) Moore of Georgia and Adam (Amanda) Kovar of Washington; step-great grandchildren, Casey, Nicolas, Isaac, Estela and David; very special cousins, Roberta (Ken) Haney, Kathy (Dennis) Fourreau, Nancy (Maurice) Schell and Bob Barton all of Illinois; and sister-in-law, Joyce Muller of Union Grove, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Pelnar; special cousins, Robert (Elizabeth) Barton, Ronald (Edith) Pelnar, and Robert (Ellen) Pelnar; and brother-in-law, Walter Muller.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the SALVATION ARMY, 514 Sutherland Ave, Janesville, with full military rites at 6:00 p.m. by Kienow Hilt Post 1621. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family. For on-line condolences and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

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