Donald William Noriel

Donald William Noriel - NORIEL, DONALD WILLIAM Sr." Entered into rest at home in Santa Rosa, CA on July 5, 2009. Loving father of Donald W. (Eleanor) Noriel, Jr. of Santa Rosa, CA and Bobbi (Jeff) Petersen of Ridgefield, WA. Cherished grandfather of Melissa Noriel of San Francisco and step-grandfather of Randy and Ryan Joaquino (and their families) of Bakersfield, CA. A native of Santa Rosa, CA and life-long Sonoma County resident, age 90 years. Don is preceded in death by his beloved teenage sweetheart and then wife of fifty-nine years, Jeanne in 2000 and by his late brother Edwin Noriel and sister-in-law, Mae Noriel, both formerly of Petaluma, CA. Don is a graduate of the Santa Rosa High School Class of 1936. He was an All-Star in football, basketball and baseball. He was also North Bay League tennis champion four years in a row. Sports were always a major part of Don"s life. After high school graduation, Don moved to Petaluma and worked until 1941, when he volunteered for the U.S. Army. He served as Ammunition Sergeant in the Field Artillery with Patton"s Third Army through France and into Germany. He received the Bronze Star and was discharged on June 26, 1945. Don joined the Petaluma Police Department in 1945 and rose to the rank of Sergeant in 1947. In April 1963, he joined the Sonoma County Coroner/Public Administrator"s Office under Coroner Andy Johansen and served as an investigator. In 1974, Don became Chief Deputy Coroner under Sheriff Don Striepeke and retired in 1981. Don served over thirty years in law enforcement in Sonoma County.