Donald Joseph Benish, 75, passed away on Dec. 10, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

Don was born in Hillsboro, Wis., to Albert and Julia (Dvorak) Benish. He was an active Boy Scout and achieved Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout in 1955 before he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1956. In October 1960, Don enlisted in the military. His home station was located in Janesville, Wis. He was a qualified rifleman and sharpshooter, and attended an active duty program for six months. He was honorably discharged in 1963.

Don was the proud owner/operator of Don’s Tap in Yuba, Wis., for several years. He also worked for A.O. Smith, Johnson Controls, and later retired from Perlick in Milwaukee.

Don enjoyed hunting and was an avid fan of Wisconsin sports teams–he enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers games.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Pat, whom he married in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev. He is also survived by his daughter, Linda Benish of Black Earth; twin daughters, Shelly Heaton (Jay) of Jacksonville, Fla. and Sherry Benish of Hillsboro; grandson Darrell (Theresa) of Yuba; his brothers, Robert (Darlene) of Kendall and Francis (Frank) (Alrita) of Ontario. He is further survived by his stepchildren, Paul (Lisa) Sanger of West Allis; Kim Sanger of Heartland; Jason (Linda) Smolinski of Pewaukee; and Kurt (Kandy) Smolinski of Oconomowoc; step-grandchildren Ryan, Erin, Logan, Paige, Jackson and Gavin; his sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Joe Armbruster. He was loved and will be remembered by many other surviving nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, friends and caregivers.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Albert (Pink) Benish; his mother, Julia Dvorak Benish; and his stepmother, Esther Eastman Benish.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Hillsboro.

A memorial fund has been established in Don’s memory at Royal Bank, Hillsboro, Wis. 54634.