Donald A. Castonia, who worked as a reporter at The (Appleton) Post-Crescent for more than 40 years, died Thursday, July 13. He was 87.
Born on Dec. 24, 1935, in the Town of Pound in Marinette County, to Adolph and Clara LeMere Castonia, he graduated from Coleman High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism, as well as a master’s degree in political science, from UW-Milwaukee. In 1973, he married Mary Wankey, who preceded him in death in 2014.
Castonia joined the Post-Crescent in 1960, and was among the team of business writers who helped launch the newspaper’s weekly business publication in February 1998 before retiring that summer. After retirement, he continued to serve as a correspondent for the newspaper for several years.
Castonia also taught political science and newswriting courses at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Fox Valley.
Prior to joining the Post-Crescent, he worked as a reporter for the (Sterling, Ill.) Daily Gazette and the Green Bay radio station WJPG.
