Michael W. McDonell “Mac”, age 75, of Sheboygan, died on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home. He was born in Manitowoc, WI on September 20, 1949, to the late Donald and Eleanor Weyenberg McDonell.
Michael attended local schools and graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1968. He then went to Lakeshore Technical College and acquired a degree in welding. On September 29, 1973, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Schmidt in Sheboygan Falls.
Michael was employed as a welder at Spiller Spring Company for many years, until his retirement. In the early 1990’s, Michael was ranked the 7th best welder fabricator in Wisconsin.
In his earlier years, Michael was a founding member of the Sheboygan Surfing Club in 1968. He was also a member of the Lair’s Club at Bumps Tavern. He enjoyed playing pool, model trains, and tinkering with most anything he could get his hands on. Michael was an avid Milwaukee Brewers, and Green Bay Packers fan as well. He was known for his one liner’s and being a bit of jokester. Most of all Michael love being a “Proud Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren:
Daughter Nicole (Alan) Kleinke; Samantha (Shawn) Huff, Abigail (Jake) Bowser, Joshua Kleinke (girlfriend Jenna), Declan, Reinhardt;
Son Markus (Tania) McDonell; Samantha (Toby) Van Ess, Katlyn Yinko, Jaxsin, Greysin, Miguel, and Larelei;
Daughter Christine (Bradley) Schober; Thomas-James Schober, Hunter (Navada) Schober, and Alexander Schober, Axton.
He is further survived by his two brothers, John McDonell and Chuck (Ruth) McDonell, both of Sheboygan; and his two sisters, Dianne (John) Labbadia, of Guilford, CT, and RoxAnn (Jeff) Wagner, of Appleton. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends further survive. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Eleanor McDonell, brothers, Richard, and Thomas McDonell, and three sisters, Kathleen Kasten, Patricia Kreidler, and Rose Ann Folz.
Visitation will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Eternal Light, 6706 Superior Ave Kohler, WI. A Celebration of Life will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Sheboygan Moose Lodge, 1811 Georgia Ave., Sheboygan, WI.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com.
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