Donald L. "Duck" Lawler, 88, a life-long resident of Mazomanie, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family and friends throughout his final days.  Don was born at the Lawler home in Mazomanie on October 15, 1936 to Verne and Gladys (Heald) Lawler. On August 17, 1957, he married the love of his life, Ruth L. Obright, at Black Earth Lutheran Church.

Don was a devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He liked spending time going to Packers games, taking his children on camping and fishing trips to Canada, visiting parks, locks and dams along the Mississippi River, looking at trains, watching A Christmas Story on repeat on Christmas day, taking family vacations to Florida to visit his brothers, and making homemade ice cream for family events.

A proud veteran, Don served his country with distinction. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954 and later served in the Seabees and the Army Reserves. He was a 46-year Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) member of the American Legion Post 437 in Mazomanie. Don deeply appreciated the annual Memorial Day visit from the Marine Corps League, who honored Marine veterans with cupcakes—a gesture he found profoundly meaningful.

Don was a skilled and passionate sheet metal worker, fabricator, and business owner. For many years, he partnered with his son, Mitch, and Roger Uptegraw at Southwest Mechanical in Ridgeway. They built a successful business and fostered lasting friendships, particularly with Larry Hefty Construction, who they partnered with for numerous projects.

Don will be deeply missed by his children: Cindy Lawler, Michael (Janice) Lawler, and Mark (Karen) Lawler; his grandchildren: Chad (Kelly) Lawler, Michael (Heather Meier) Lawler, Amber (Ray) Balthazor, Becky (Tyler) Nash, Daniel (Penny) Lawler, Kris Sutcliffe, Stacy Sutcliffe, Sandra Sutcliffe, and Cassandra (Kevin) Meinholz; and his great-grandchildren: Reid, Avery, Aubre, Logan, Bryton, Anaya, Tayven, Miller, Brigham, Emmie, Claudia, Bentley, Jackson, Garrett, Hudson, and Rowan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Pearl Schumann, Audrey Lawler, and Barb Lawler, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his son, Mitch Lawler; his granddaughter, Peggy Sue Lawler; his parents, Verne and Gladys Lawler; his brothers, Douglas Lawler, Robert (Shari) Lawler, Gayle Lawler, and Lyndon Lawler; his sister, Cathy (Tom) Borman and infant sister, Betty Lawler; and his in-laws, Clarence and Golda Obright, Elaine Dietzman, Clarence Obright Jr., and Willard Schumann.

The Lawler family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to the VA Healthcare Professionals and VA Hospice in Madison for their compassionate and exceptional care.

In accordance with Don's wishes, a graveside service with Military Honors will be held for family and friends on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mazomanie Cemetery.