Daniel Edward “Ed” Donald, age 82, most recently of Parkview Nursing Home, Fairfield, and previously Mt. Pleasant, and Stockport, IA passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Jefferson County Health Center.
A gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Stockport Legion Hall, Stockport, IA, with family present from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. a meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service will be 1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis officiating. Inurnment will be held at later date at Smith Cemetery, between Stockport and Birmingham, IA.
Ed was born January 10, 1940, in Stockport, IA on the family farm to Daniel and Nola (Pope) Donald. He married Roberta Keller June 22, 1958, in Stockport IA, they divorced, remarried in 1982 and later divorced.
Ed graduated from Stockport High School in 1958, where he excelled in Basketball, Baseball, & Music. He was a farmer for much of his life but after graduating high school, he co-owned the Stockport Texaco Station with his father. He also worked as a car salesman for Davidson Auto of Keosauqua, Iowa, was a crop hail adjustor and owned Donald Insurance. He was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, 224th Engineer Bn, Fairfield, IA, where he served 8 years, from 1958 to 1966. Ed was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and spent many years organizing bus trips for kids to games in St. Louis. He was involved in city politics, holding the office of mayor for many years in the town of Stockport. He was a member of the Workman Masonic Lodge #634 of Stockport, IA and a longtime Lions’ Club member. He attended the old country school near the family farm, which was later moved to Morris Park, rural Stockport, where, during festivals, he led tours and shared his country school experiences. He spent many of his early years in Stockport actively involved with youth, as a boy scout leader and coached local youth leagues of baseball and basketball. He continued his love of children by taking grandkids on annual jaunts to Adventureland and to Cardinal ball games, where they enjoyed hearing his singing and telling jokes. He enjoyed golf and was an expert Morel mushroom hunter and enjoyed talking about his adventures of mountain climbing and white-water rafting in Colorado. Most important to Ed, was spending time with his family. He was known for his regular birthday cards and his signature gift-wrapping paper, using comic strips. He was an active member of the group of morning “Coffee Club” friends who met religiously at the Coffee Depot and McDonalds in Mt. Pleasant, IA. Friends often would hear of his pride in his family and his adventures in life. He treasured his time with this group of friends and would always run in to old friends while there.
He will be missed by his family, including his children, John (Birdie) Donald of Marcellus, MI, Marsha (Dennis) Laux of Fairfield, IA, Steven Donald of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Stewart (friend Wendy) Donald of Coralville, IA ; grandchildren, Brooke Laux Lilley (Clayton), Miranda Laux Millhouse (Justin), D. Seth Laux (Katie), Ashley Donald, Erin Donald (Robb), Andrew Donald (Janelle), Aaron Donald, Alex Donald, Taylor Donald; and step-grandchildren, Julia Birch, Savannah Birch, Olivia Birch, Ariele Cornellas; great-grandchildren, Shae Donald, Grant Lilley, Alyson Lilley, Evan Millhouse, Madelyn Millhouse, Emma Laux, Kinsley Laux, Chase Laux, Ashton Tlustly, Bailey Hill, Maddox Hill, Payton Stevenson, Ailinn Kaufman, Unity Kaufman; step-great grandchildren Justin Kirkbride, Jaxon Kirkbride, Gabe Harward, Ryan Harward, Connor Bruegge & Luke Birch; his siblings, Doug Donald of Washington, IA, Alice Donald Fitzpatrick of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Cindy Donald Rada, of Muscatine, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel & Nola Donald; granddaughter, Lynnsey Donald; and brother-in-law, Dennis Fitzpatrick.
Memorials can be made to the Fellowship Cup, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Cards and memorials can be sent to the family in care of Marsha Laux @2603 Stockport Rd., Fairfield, IA, 52556. On line condolences may be made to the family at behnerfh.com.