Mobley, Donald Neil 1933-2012

MOBLEY, DOBBS, ELLIOTT, OSWALD, MCKIM, MELL, BRASCHLAR, BELL, MORLAND, HOLLAND

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/27/2016 at 08:48:58

Donald Mobley
1933-2012

MONTEZUMA, Iowa - Donald Mobley, 79, of Montezuma, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012, at the Pella Hospice Comfort House.

Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 29, 2012, at the Montezuma United Methodist Church. Burial will be held in the Jackson Township Cemetery at Montezuma. Visitation will begin after 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church and the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Friends may send condolences or sign the online guestbook at www.hollandcoblefuneralhomes.com. Holland-Coble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Neil Mobley, son of James and Bethel (Dobbs) Mobley, was born on June 16, 1933 in Doniphan, Mo.

He graduated from Doniphan High School in 1951.

Don received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry from the University of Missouri in 1957 and received his Master of Science in Agriculture in 1965 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

While in college, he belonged to the Block & Bridle Fraternity, the Ruf Nex Fraternity and the Livestock Judging Team. This was a very important honor to be selected, and he was chosen as one of the top four, out of many.

He enrolled in college, with no means, and successfully worked his way through four years to graduation.

He began working for the University of Missouri Extension Service as a 4-H Youth Agent in 1957 in Carroll County, Keytesville, Mo.

He served six years with the United States Army National Guard.

On June 26, 1960, Don was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Elliott at the United Methodist Church in Montezuma.

His first home, with wife Mary, was in Carrollton, Mo., where he was 4-H County Agent.

To this union, three children were born; Julie, Pamela and Neil.

In 1962, Don moved his family to Jefferson City, Mo., where he continued his tenure as County 4-H Agent.

In 1965 Don received his Master’s Degree in Animal Science at The University of Missouri.

In 1966, Don’s job took him and family to Rock Port, Mo., where he was a Balanced Farming Agent.

In spring 1970, he was appointed Area Livestock Specialist for Atchison, Holt and Nodaway counties. Heralding a 34 year career, some notable events are: Northwest MO Beef Improvement Assn., On-the-farm Beef Performance Testing Program, NW MO Performance Tested Bull Sales, Stockman’s Open Houses and Tours, Pork Producers Assn., Boar Test Station, Maryville, Mo., Organized the first Atchison County Beef Carcass Show and County Livestock Auction-1967, Rate of Gain contest on Steers-1969, Swine Gain Contest-1979.

He judged livestock for 30 years at numerous Missouri county fairs and was privileged to judge livestock at the Nebraska State Fair.

Don proudly received numerous awards including: The Association of County Agricultural Distinguished Service Award-1980-81, Univ. Mo Extension Meritorious Service Award-1999, University of MO Extension Agriculturist Award by MO Farm Bureau, Outstanding Area Livestock Specialist by NW MO Beef Improvement and Pork Producers Assns.-1978, “Hall of Fame” Award by NW MO Beef Improvement Assn.1991, Meritorious Service award by Atchison County 4-H-1991.

Don was also awarded the Warren Coleman Award from the State of Iowa Lion’s Club.

Don was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.

Don’s favorite pastimes were fishing and hunting with his many companion bird dogs.

He also enjoyed traveling with Mary, especially their trip to Hawaii and Alaska.

Bridge playing with friends, camping with his family at Bennett Springs, Mo., square/round dancing, slow-pitch softball, going to coffee with his buddies and spending time with his grandchildren were also dear to his heart.

Don retired from the extension service in March of 2000 and relocated with Mary back to her childhood farm home in Montezuma in 2001.

Don was a long-time, die-hard Mizzou Tiger.

He was a member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church and the Montezuma Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Margaret of Montezuma; his children, Julie (Jim) Oswald of St. Joseph; Pamela McKim of Iowa City, Iowa, and Neil Mobley of Denver, Colo.; three grandchildren, Jill, Jenna and Joshua Oswald; his 11 siblings, Lavell (Ella Mell) Mobley, Bill (Connie) Mobley, Jack (Bernice) Mobley, Elva (Lestel) Braschlar, Helen (Wayne) Bell, Jim (Shary) Mobley, Larry (Connie) Mobley, Richard (Becky) Mobley, Glenn (Mary Morland) Mobley, Jane (Wendall) Holland and Edwin (Jane) Mobley.

Don was preceded in death by parents, James and Bethel Mobley. ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa Tues 27 Nov 2012.