Douglas Water

Douglas was born on March 3, 1932 in Sheboygan the son of Attorney Henry and Mildred Wimmler Van de Water. He was an avid Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in troop number 4 in 1947. He graduated as salutatorian from Sheboygan North High School in 1950, ceding the valedictorian spot to his high school sweetheart Lorna Mae Gruhle. He subsequently enrolled in the University of Wisconsin and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps during his college years and after graduation entered the army. His basic training was at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After completing his training he was sent overseas to the 68th parallel DMZ zone in Korea where he spent 18 months in the Military Police division. Upon his return from Korea, he married Lorna Mae Gruhle on April 7, 1956 at Zion Reformed Church. He spent his final months of active duty at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. After leaving the service, he returned to the University of Wisconsin School of Law where he became a member of the Wisconsin Law Review. He received his law degree in 1959. Douglas and Lorna returned to Sheboygan where he entered the law practice with the firm of Gruhle, Fessler, and Wilkus, which later became Gruhle, Fessler and Van de Water. He practiced law his entire life only recently retiring. He treated his clients with respect and as if they were family, and he was proud to instill these same values in his son David A. Van de Water when he joined the practice. He was a lifelong member of the Hope Reformed Church and the Sheboygan and Wisconsin Bar Associations. Previously he served as a member of the Salvation Army Board, the Citizens Bank of Cedar Grove Advisory Board, the St. Nicholas Hospital Advisory Board, the friends of St. Nicholas Board of Directors, and many other civic organizations. Douglas enjoyed traveling with his wife and saw many parts of the world. He also spent many happy times at his cottage in Three Lakes cutting firewood and fishing. By far his greatest love was for his grandchildren and he spent many happy years driving them to and from sports practices and their games. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lorna M. Van de Water, his son, Attorney David A. Van de Water (Doreen) of Sheboygan, his daughter, Hon. Linda M. Van de Water of Brookfield, Wisconsin, grandson Travis H. Van de Water of Vermillion, South Dakota, granddaughter Tracy A. Van de Water of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, grandson Trevor D. Van de Water of Clemson, South Carolina, and grandson Trenton D. Van de Water of Houston, Texas. A memorial service will be held at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels, 1201 N. 8th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081 with Pastor Andrew Hopp officiating on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome at the at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name. Douglas's family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all his care providers for the care, compassion and friendship extended to him and his family. He will be profoundly missed by his loving family as husband, father, grandfather, and role model. To sign the guestbook, visit: www.ballhornchapels.com