Mr. and Mrs. Donald DeBault, formerly of Portage, observed their 75th wedding anniversary on August 14, 2023 with a holy mass celebration at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida where they have resided since 1988. Donald O. DeBault of Mason, Illinois and Ann Aloyse Emerick of Battle Creek were married August 14, 1948. Don, having served in WW2 with the U.S. Navy at age 16 decided at age 30 to complete his high school education by attending 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour in the same classrooms at Battle Creek Central with the 1958 senior graduating class. Don enjoyed 35 years in the color matching ink trade at IPI Battle Creek, a Morris, Illinois paper mill, and retiring from SunChemical, Portage in 1988. Don was an avid squirrel, pheasant, and deer hunter, and bowled on several leagues at Sunset Lanes.
Ann attended Battle Creek St. Philip Catholic Schools for all 12 years, graduating in 1947. She attended two semesters at Nazareth College. She became a stay-at-home mom for 20 years before working at Meijer from 1968-1988. Her spare time was spent knitting hats and mittens for her children, mothers clubs, and VFW Auxiliary activities.
Don and Ann were charter members of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church of Portage and are current members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Punta Gorda, Florida, where both sang in the choir. Don earned Grand Knight Honors with the Knights of Columbus.
Their children are Cathy and Jerry Munting of Richland, Donna DeBault of Portage, Sue and Barry Nelson of Cooper, Tom DeBault (deceased), Dave and Connie DeBault of Rolla, Missouri, Jim DeBault and Joyce Kramer of Kalamazoo, MaryJane DeBault of Kalamazoo, Bob DeBault of Florida, Ken and Tonya DeBault of Portage, John and Deb DeBault of Portage, and Paul and Kristin of Vicksburg.
They have 24 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.