Donald R. Bilardello, age 81 passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Aria in Brookfield, WI.  He was born on October 5, 1941 in St. Petersburg, FL the son of Albert and Mary Evelyn Bilardello.  Donald grew up in Rockford, IL and then graduated from St. Norbert High School in DePere, WI.  He continued his education at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, and he did post graduate work at Saint John Vianney College Seminary.  Donald would go on to earn his Master's in Social Work from Saint Louis University and a Doctorate from the University of Tennessee.

He worked as a social worker at several hospitals in Illinois and Indiana until retiring to the Madison, WI area. His specialty (and thesis topic) was helping to rehabilitate patients with head injuries.  In his retirement Don worked for Lands' End for several years.  He was a life-long practicing Catholic.

He was gifted in learning languages and could communicate in all of the following: Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Russian, Polish, German and Spanish.

Don was an avid long-distance runner.  He completed 18 marathons (26.2 miles) in his lifetime, including two Bostons. He ran in hundreds of shorter races throughout the Midwest often winning age-related prize ribbons.  Several times he put together multi-year run streaks when he never missed a day - - all documented in his diaries. His daily runs continued well into his 70s.

Don is survived by his brother Dan (Barb) Bilardello of Naperville, IL, one niece, two nephews, four grandnephews, and five grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Nancy Bilardello May.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 338 S. Harrison St., Belleville, WI.  Rev. Mark Miller will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at St. James Cemetery, Belleville, WI.