Donald "Duck" Lee Charnon Jr.

May 15, 1958 – February 12, 2025

Donald "Duck" Lee Charnon Jr., 66, passed away in Green Bay, WI, on February 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after an ongoing battle with his health. Born in Racine, WI, on May 15, 1958, to Donald Charnon Sr. and Sandra Charnon (Baird). Donald's life was a testament to his passion for drama, education, and community service.

At the age of 9, Donald's family moved to Cleveland, WI. He graduated from Sheboygan North High School and then ventured to California, aspiring to make a mark in the arts. In 1977, he joined the Covenant Players, an international Christian drama company. Starting as an actor, he quickly rose to become a director and drama teacher, touring extensively for 10 months each year. His talent and dedication led him to perform for the U.S. military, traveling to 12 countries, including Germany, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. He also worked with schools, churches, and prisons in the British Isles, addressing critical issues such as suicide, substance abuse, and ethics. While touring with Covenant Players, Donald met his first wife Bridget Reginato and they were married December 21, 1985, and later divorced in 1996.

Upon returning to the U.S., Donald was appointed as a field director and later a regional office supervisor, leading teams across the lower 48 states and all 10 provinces of Canada for 13 years. In 1995, he returned to Wisconsin and directed "Dibajimo" for the Wisconsin Indian Story Theater, produced by Ron Peterson from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. This initiative focused on performances in Wisconsin schools. In 1997, he founded the theater group Yega Ladu "She Tells Stories" in Oneida, aiming to pass on drama skills through workshops that emphasized body control, movement, projection, diction, eye contact, characterization, and line delivery.

Donald once said, "I love performing. I have always had the gift of enthusiasm. I love to make people laugh and I feel theater is an extension of the Indigenous storytelling method of teaching."

He later met Patricia Hein, and they were married, June 26, 1999.Throughout his life, Donald held various roles, including positions at Hidden Valley Electrical and as an Occupational Safety Trainer and Educator for the Oneida Nation. He eventually retired at Tsyunhehkwa Farm, where he passionately led tours, educating visitors about Oneida cultural food traditions, while also maintaining livestock and cultivating crops.

Donald was a founding member of Ohe·láku, a nonprofit organization where Oneida families relearned the art of growing traditional White Corn together. He was also a proud member of the Rising Nation Motorcycle Club, the only Tribal-charter club in the U.S. Among his cherished traditions were vacationing at Shawano Lake with his family and friends and attending Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study with his friends at Pete's Towing & Auto.

Donald is fondly remembered for his love of going to the movies, creating music on his many instruments—especially his trumpet and shofar—singing, dancing, and always finding ways to brighten someone's day.

Donald is survived by spouse Patricia Charnon (Hein); his children Erin (Joey) Yakunas, Morgan (Kyle) Sobek, Mitchell Gantz, Lystra (Matthew) Clausen, Christa (Wesley) Lewin, and Mia Charnon; his eleven grandchildren, Ruby Drews, Ember Clausen, Rhema Lewin, Ellie Clausen, Kairos Lewin, Bethany Sobek, Molly Clausen, Mabel Clausen, Quinn Lewin, Margaret Sobek, and Haven Clausen; three siblings, Michael (Lori) Charnon, Brian Charnon, and Wendy Charnon; and nephews, Jacob Charnon, Jesse Charnon, Murphy Charnon, and Noah Charnon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Sr. and Sandra Charnon, and his grandparents, Murphy and Pansy Baird.

Friends and family may call at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 North 10th St. De Pere, WI, from 12pm to 2pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2pm. Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the family.

A heartfelt thank you to Donald's many friends and family for their unwavering support. Special thanks to Dr. Flood at the Oneida Health Center and the dedicated staff at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay and UW Health University Hospital for their exceptional care.