Donald Martin Ellwanger, loving husband, brother
Donald Martin Ellwanger, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 8, 2025, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz. He lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Donald was born May 3, 1948, in Frankford. He is predeceased by his father, Philip S. Ellwanger; his mother, Mildred C. (Joseph) Ellwanger; his brother, Robert (Bob) Ellwanger; and his sister-in-law, Bernice Ellwanger.
Donald is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sheila Ellwanger; his brother, Virgil P. Ellwanger (Julie); and his nephews, Keith Ellwanger (Joann) and Steve Ellwanger (Becky).
Donald attended first through 11th grade at John M. Clayton School in Frankford/Dagsboro. Donald graduated from San Angelo Central High School in San Angelo, Texas. He earned his AA degree from Delaware Technical Community College and his BA degree from University of Hawaii.
Donald worked for the State of Delaware at DelDOT. Then, he moved to Hawaii and worked at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. as a contract administrator and served as president of the Contract Administration Associates. They then moved to California, New Mexico, and finally to Phoenix, Ariz., where he worked for and retired from the State of Arizona. After retiring, he worked at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.
Donald had a great love of music, and while in Delaware, he was the disc jockey for Carl and Lenny’s nightclub in Rehoboth Beach. Afterward, he worked with WWTR and WSEA radio stations as a local DJ (aka “Mason Stone” and “Dr. Don”).
Donald also had a great love for football (The Eagles), baseball (The Phillies), and he loved golfing with his golfing friends in Phoenix, as well as his very good friends, Allan and Rosemary Schilz. He loved his classmates (and Andy and Jeff) back in Delaware.
A Celebration of Donald’s Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 30, at The Landing Bar and Grille in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Bldg. 2, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.
