Donald Owen Flinn, 88, of Ottumwa died at 4:50 a.m. February 13, 2025 at his home.
He was born September 29, 1936 in McGuffey, OH to Everett and Norma Fark Flinn. He married Patty Collins December 6, 1957 and she preceded him in death November 15, 2013 after 57 years of marriage. He then married Marilyn Cox Nichols Cremer July 3, 2014, and they have been married almost 11 years.
Graduating high school in McGuffey, OH, Don served in the U.S. Navy from August 1954 to August 1962, during the Korean War. After getting out of the service, he had a layover at the bus station in Ottumwa and met his future wife, Pat. They were married 6 weeks later. He worked in construction as a pipe-fitter, as a sheet-metal worker and even laying carpet. He helped build the Ottumwa Generating Station at Chillicothe and later worked 15 years in mechanical maintenance at the plant, retiring in 1998. In their retirement, Don and Pat moved to Florida where they worked for Disney and enjoyed free golf and sharing park passes with friends and family. Moving back to Ottumwa in 2001, they continued to winter in Texas and a few times in Florida.
Don and Pat served as foster parents for many years. He enjoyed coaching one of his daughter’s softball teams in the 1970’s, and having traveled with one of his daughters on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2016.
He and his wife, Marilyn attended Christ’s Church. They also wintered in Mission, TX for 6 years and enjoyed playing cards with friends and attending music jams. He greatly enjoyed woodworking, whittling and macramé, making gifts such as bread boxes for his family and others. He was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren and step-children, making a point to tell them and others often.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; his children, Shelley (Wayne) English of Louisville, KY, Cathy Nichols of Concord, GA, Julie (Rick) Vose of Oskaloosa, Brian Flinn, and Donald (Kristin) Flinn both of Ottumwa; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; step-children, Diana (Don) Grossarth of Kimberly, ID, Denice Nichols of Beaverton, OR, Jeffery Nichols (JoKay) of Des Moines, Perry (Cindy) Nichols of Liberty, MO and Teri Dovico of Agency; a sister, Bonnie (Don) Poppe of Botkins, OH; several nieces including Sandra (Carl) Hayden of Ohio; and his special dog, Bella.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Dan Nichols; a step-daughter-in-law, Madona Nichols; a great-great granddaughter, Athena Lasley-Nelson; a sister, Irva Shoffner; and his dog, Dexter.
Visitation will be open after 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 18th at Reece Funeral Home with his family present to greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 19th at Reece Funeral Home with Dan Smith officiating. Military honors will be conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Cremation will follow the service. Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Dog Star Sanctuary or Heartland Humane Society.
