Donald Zulian departed this life peacefully on Friday March 13, 2026, while at home in Grand Junction, he was 89 years old. “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalms 62:1.

According to verbal family history, Donald was born to Mario Zulian and Mary (Camilletti) Zulian on October 7, 1936, in the large house on the old Zulian homestead near Mount Harris. He graduated from Hayden Union High School, Class of 1954. Two years later, on June 2, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Schuster. Together, they raised three daughters and celebrated nearly sixty-five years of marriage.

Donald and Beverly shared a love of the outdoors and commitment to family. In his early years, Donald developed a love for farming, however, he chose a career in the coal mining industry. His devotion and hard work brought him to the position of Superintendent at Peabody’s Seneca mine. Don was a dedicated, patient, kind, and trustworthy person, a man who loved work, family, and friends. In retirement, Donald devoted his time to farming, golfing and most of all family.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Mario and Mary (Camilletti) Zulian; his sisters, Elsie Watson and Jane Hakes; his wife, Beverly Zulian; and two grandchildren, Tucker L. Paulsen and Jessica A. Z. (Ziegler) Horn.

Donald leaves a legacy of hard work, devotion, and love. He is survived by his brother, Ernest Zulian; his sister, Dorothy Burghart; three daughters, Deborah (Leroy) Shearwood of Grand Junction, Sheryl Zulian of Craig, and Dawn (Terry) Paulsen of Steamboat Springs; four grandchildren, Donaven Zulian, Beniccia (Craig) Bedore, Justin Craig, and Patrick Paulsen; eight great-grandchildren, Terrapin and Beverlie Zulian, Curtis Hejny, Slade Bedore, Jayah and Zoey Craig, and Johnathen and Jeramiah Ziegler; and six great-great-grandchildren, Octavia, Vivianna, Edwin, Zikaytia, Emma, and Joshua.