Donald Bierschwale

BIERSCHWALE
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Donald J. Bierschwale left this world on Sunday, November 6, 2011. He was born on Morris Ranch in Gillespie County, Texas on March 22, 1933 to Edward and Myrtle Bierschwale. Don graduated from St. Gerard's High School in 1952. He was nominated to the San Antonio Express' Little Giants Football Team, along with his team mates, Clifton Dzierzanowski and Roy Butler. In his younger years, Don did a little amateur boxing with the Golden Gloves. He was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association in 1952 and 1953. Don was a professional Bull Rider, with his biggest event being at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Don graduated from Commonwealth College of Science, where he became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He began a career in the Funeral Industry that lasted over fifty years. A passion he shared with his family, all of whom are licensed Directors. He opened five funeral homes in San Antonio and had a partnership in one in Jourdanton. Along with the funeral homes, Don had the first emergency services and limousine service in San Antonio. He was very involved in the Southside Community where he grew up, conducted business and continued to live. Due to all of his involvement with the community, Don was selected as a Board Member of Harlandale State Bank. He was instrumental in building HWY 16 Raceway. Don had numerous race cars that ran locally and elsewhere in Texas. From 1970 to 1996 B-B Racing was formed with E.J. Burke, Jr and Don. They began racing the NASCAR circuit with drivers, Jimmy Finger, Clarence Lovell, Ed Szech, Johnny Rutherford, Jr., and Eddie Bierschwale. Don's biggest thrill was when his son, Eddie, won the Texas 500 race at Texas World Speedway and set the track record, for stock cars, at 183.739 mph. Don is also in the Over 200 Club at Talladega. He was very proud of his whole family that helped and made most of the races all over the United States. Don is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jeanette; his three children, Eddie Bierschwale and Michelle, Kim Schroeder and husband Billy, Dottie Saenz and husband Ephraim; sister, Kathleen Gloden and Jerry; the love of his life, his grandchildren, Krystal Kosub and husband Matt, Donald and Dalton Schroeder, "Little Boy" Gage Bierschwale, and "Little Ethan" Zaiontz; also numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many, many, friends. Visitation will be held at Southside Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 9th from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5520 So. Flores, on Thursday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in San Jose Burial Park. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Gregory Duncan McCarroll and Dr. Daniel Donovan for the special care they gave. Condolences may be left for the family at www.southsidefh.com. Services entrusted to: