Donald L. "Baton" Sartell

1928 - 2025

Janesville, WI - Donald L. Sartell, Mr. Baton, age 97, of Janesville, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, peacefully at home. He was born in Janesville on September 18th 1928, the son of Ervin J. and Lutie Dee (Siron) Sartell, Sr. By age eight he was selling popcorn, pop and candy at a local park. He created Handy Helpers Club where he lined up jobs, negotiated fees and organized a team, inspected work and split the take. He produce signs, bus schedules and other informational documents to sell door-to-door and store-to-store. In 1940, his father was sent to Louisiana as the band director for the 121st Field Artillery Band. Don was an Army brat hanging around the band. He learned to twirl a baton to keep occupied during turbulent times in the South and became the band mascot. He came back to Janesville in 1941 when his father was shipped overseas, and won the Wisconsin state championship in twirling. In 1945, while a junior in high school, he started Drum Major Magazine and then he formed National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA). He turned his childhood love for baton twirling into a lifelong business. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1946 and he started Sartell Publications with several magazines including Young and Beautiful and Drum Major Magazine.

He met the love of his life, Judith Austin, at a dance at the YMCA where the orchestra was playing Eddie Howard's classic You Were Meant for Me (they signed cards over the years "YA(are)MFM" and it was love at first sight for him. They married five years later, on Dec. 19, 1953 and cherished each other for over 60 years together. Judy was his "Angel". They raise 2 children, Jeffrey and Christopher Satell. Don traveled with Judy internationally promoting, teaching and shaping baton twirling and uniting organizations. They lived in an authentic Swiss Chalet atop the former Janesville ski hill, feeding the animals, enjoying nature and the beauty of the view.

Don had storied life as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 121st, entrepreneur, author, publisher, manufacturer, Hollywood consultant and "idea man", friend of movie moguls and film stars, authority on baton twirling and president of the American Baton Co, where he developed, tested, patented and sold his batons and other needed twirling supplies. He produced and directed America's Youth on Parade, an international twirling championship at the University of Notre Dame for 53 years, impacting the lives of millions of youths and their families.

Don authored a number of books and novels including Margie, the Marching Majorette, Who's Who in Baton Twirling, Teaching Twirling Successfully, Judges Protocol I, II, The Little Book With The Big Ego - Ego Management, The Misadventures of Deuce Malone, Deuce Malone Hawaiian Adventures, Cago, Cago Part Two, History of Twirling - Answering the Call, along with three additional fiction manuscripts.

Close Hollywood friends include - Bobby Vinton, Jack Foreman, Jesse L. Lasky, Cecil B DeMile, Hal Reads, Bernie Weitzman, Chuck Fries, Spencer Tracy, James Cagney, Stella Sterns, Elvis Presley and Groucho Marx.

One of Mr. Baton's greatest legacies is the impact that he has made on the youth movement in twirling, parades and marching bands. Long before Title IX was introduced in 1972 to prohibit sex-based discrimination in school activities, baton twirling brought attributes including self-discipline physical dexterity, artistry, power and control and self-confidence to ALL youth. Qualities that remain into their adult years including presence, sagacity, perseverance, handling rejection, winning and losing, friendship, sacrifices, budgeting, passion, photo ops, recognition and admiration, gracefulness, dexterity, quick thinking, showmanship, communication and teaching ability.

"I enjoy my work so much I never want to retire." Don is survived by his son Jeffrey (Charlotte) Sartell of Janesville; grandson, Austin Sartell; niece, Nancy Quasius of Appleton; and nephew Jon Sartell of Waukesha. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, George and Gladys Austin; wife, Judy; son, Christopher; daughter-in-law, Barb Sartell; brother, Ervin Jr.; and sister-in-law, Pat Sartell. Don donated his twirling museum to the Janesville Historical Society.

A private service was held December 16th with Rev. Bruce Jones of Rock Prairie United Presbyterian Church. Interment was held at Oak Hill Cemetery. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL DIRECTORS is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com