BRYAN, OHIO - Donald J. Ruelle, 70, died at 6:27 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2011, shortly after admittance to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan, Ohio. Donald J. Ruelle was born on August 14, 1941, in Kenosha, the son of Earl and Otillia (nee: Gedemer) Ruelle. He married Judith A. Beres on August 3, 1963, in Racine, and she survives. Mr. Ruelle was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School in Racine. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Carthage College in Kenosha and his Master’s in Business Administration from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn. Don’s work career began with S.C. Johnson Wax Company in Racine and later took him to the plant in Cookeville, Tenn., where he served as a Financial Officer and Plant Manager. He came to Bryan, Ohio and joined the Anderson-Vreeland Company, working as Lab Manager, and later worked for Gendron in Human Resources and Sales. In his retirement, he worked part-time as a Toll Collector on the Ohio Turnpike. Known as an avid home remodeler, his most notable project was the "Castle" he built in Norlick Place. His love for music was well known in the area, where he was a tuba player with the Bryan City Band, the Defiance College Community Band, and with the Rube Band. He was also a Veteran of the United States Navy, where he attended the Naval School of Music. Don’s memberships included St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan, Ohio and the Knights of Columbus, of which he was Treasurer, and he was an avid Notre Dame and Green Bay Packer fan. Also surviving are four children, Russell (Susan) Ruelle of Kohler, Ronald (Belinda) Ruelle of Boulder, Colo., Renee (John) Gordon of Birmingham, Ala., and Richard (Shannon) Ruelle of Orange, Calif.; five grandchildren, Katherine Ruelle, Julia Ruelle, Lillian Ruelle, Max Gordon, and Miles Gordon; and one brother, Keith (Judy) Ruelle of Racine. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Emily Ruelle; and one sister, Mary Jean Anderson. Services were held on Friday, October 21, 2011, in Bryan, Ohio. Memorials are requested to St. Patrick Church in Bryan, Ohio; the Bryan City Band; the TTU Foundation / Tuba Ensemble Foundation at Tennessee Tech University, Campus Box 1915, Cookeville, Tenn. 38505; or to St. Catherine’s High School, 1200 Park Avenue, Racine, Wis. 53403. KRILL FUNERAL SERVICE 860 West Mulberry Street Bryan, Ohio 419-636-3525 To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit: www.krillfuneralservice.com