Donald Neve died May 4^th, 2019 at Marshfield Medical Center at the age of 81.  A Celebration of Life gathering will be on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Pittsville Community Hall from 3 – 7 PM.

Don was born June 23, 1937 to Frank and Inga (Nelson) Neve in the Town of Cary, Wood County, Wisconsin.  He attended West Cary Grade School and graduated from Pittsville High School in 1955.He enlisted in the Army, serving 1955-57.  Upon his return home, he attended UWSP, working summers and two semesters in between at the paper mill.  He graduated in 1962 with a B. S. in economics.

He worked for the State of Wisconsin, first for Job Service and then as a DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) counselor, 1962-1990.  During that time he earned a MS in Rehab Counseling from UW-Stout.

Don was always a farmer at heart and enjoyed working in the woods, cutting pulp for a few years and making firewood for many years.  He built his own Field of Dreams and made numerous trips annually to the Black Hills.

The rhythm of his life was dictated by the sports seasons.  He coached at Pittsville High School for 30 years mostly as girls’ varsity basketball coach, but also boys’ basketball, baseball, softball and football.  The past four years he was assistant coach for Port Edwards Girls’ varsity basketball, where his daughter coaches and granddaughters play.  He truly enjoyed working with the kids.   He attended PHS sporting events whenever possible, and was an avid watcher of Wisconsin sports:  Brewers, Badgers, Packers and Bucks.

Baseball was his lifelong love.  He played at many levels, from County League to high school, college to semi-pro and a major league tryout.  He was offered a minor league contract, but was told he was too short for the majors!

He is survived by his wife, Marlene (Johnson), whom he married in 1963,  and four children:  Greg (Mary Tomlinson), Packwaukee, Don II (Tracy), Wisconsin Rapids,  Deb (Tim) Martin, Port Edwards, and Randy, Pittsville, as well as 9 grandchildren:  Dakota Neve, Rachel & Cedric Neve, Jade & Taylor Martin, Matt Oestreich, and Marcus, Mykel and Marshall Neve.  Also survived by brothers LaVerne, Ed (Arlene), and Larry, and sister Caroline Ballerstein; sister-in-law Connie Neve and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leland and Frank, brothers-in-law Herman Ballerstein and Evan Johnson and sisters-in-law Christine Neve, Judy Neve, Joean Neve and Marge Johnson.

A memorial will be established at a later date.

Don’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.