Donald J. Viau

Donald J. Viau

HENDERSON, Nev. — Donald J. Viau, 90, formerly of Escanaba (Soo Hill), passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada.

He was born on March 20, 1935, in Escanaba, son to Dona and Cecilia Viau. Donald was raised in the Schaffer/Eustis area and graduated from Bark River-Harris High School in 1953. After graduation, he worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in Chicago before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958. Donald served from 1958-1960. He did his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas at the same time as rock and roll star Elvis Presley. After basic training, they were sent to Frankfurt am Main, Germany to join the 3rd Armored Division. While stationed in Germany, Donald met Christa Schlicher, the love of his life.

On June 3, 1961, Donald married Christa at Sacred Heart Church in Schaffer and were blessed with two sons, Gregory and Thomas. Donald and Christa were happily married for 62 years.

Donald joined Anthony and Company as a full-time typesetter and worked there until 1968, when he joined Mead Corporation’s Publishing Paper Division. After a full career in Quality Assurance at Mead, he retired in 1994.

Donald was a devout Catholic Christian and a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wells, where he was an usher for many years, and for the last seven years, was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Henderson, Nevada. He was also a member of the Mead Management club and the U.P. Vintage Tin car club.

Donald enjoyed hunting, gardening, snowmobiling, and traveling. During his retirement years, Donald and Christa enjoyed spending the winter months in Bullhead City, Arizona. He was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers, Green Bay Packers, and Michigan Wolverines; and since moving to Henderson, Nev. full-time in 2018 became a big fan of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Donald is survived by his sons, Gregory (Roberta) Viau of Norton Shores, Mich., and Thomas (Theresa) Viau of Henderson, Nev.; four grandchildren, Sara Viau, Evan (Laine) Viau, Monique (Matthew) O’Brien, and Katelyn Viau; sister, Mary Ann (Richard) Sharkey; sisters-in-law, Jean Viau and Irene Reynolds; and four nieces and two nephews.

In addition to his beloved Christa, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dona and Cecilia Viau; his daughter, Deborah Ann; brothers, Kenneth Viau and William Viau; sisters-in-law, Nancy Viau and Liesel Powell; brother-in-law, Amos Reynolds; and nephew, Michael Viau.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wells. Light refreshments and a time for visiting will follow in the Father Parrotta Hall. The graveside service will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the Bark River Twp. Cemetery. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.