Donald Jackson Whattoff (1917-2015)
WHATTOFF, NOREM, NORDYKE, STONE, ERB, FLYNN, SOUKUP
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/26/2015 at 12:45:24
Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.
Donald Jackson Whattoff was born at the family home in Ames, Iowa on October 30, 1917, the middle son of Joseph and Clara Whattoff. Growing up, he attended Collegiate Presbyterian Church and graduated from Ames High School in 1935. Donald married Clara Norene Norem of McCallsburg on March 16, 1941. As newlyweds, Donald and Clara lived in Washington, D.C. where both were employed by the FBI from 1941 to 1943. Donald joined the Merchant Marine in 1943 to serve his country during WWII. The Merchant Marine transported ammunition, cargo and troops across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During his time in the service, Clara moved to ports-of-call on both coasts to be with Donald when his ship would arrive and depart.
Following the war, Donald and Clara moved back to Ames, sharing a house with his brother, Vernard and his wife, Irene. In 1939, Donald went into business with his father, Joseph, and brother, Vernard, starting Whattoff Motors selling automobile brands such as Studebaker and Packard. Whattoff Motors was also the first Toyota dealer in central Iowa. Donald continued with Whattoff Motors until he retired in 1975. During his retirement, Donald owned and operated a laundromat for 20 years.
During his lifetime, Donald served on the boards for Collegiate Methodist Church and United Community School. He loved to read about and listen to evangelists teaching Bible prophesy. One of his greatest loves was writing poetry and he penned 60 poems on a wide variety of themes which included his Christian faith. During his last 20 years, Donald’s personal ministry was handing out copies of his poem, “The Rapture,” to virtually everyone no matter where he went. Only God knows how many people were impacted by Donald’s ministry.
Donald went home to be with the Lord on August 27, 2015 at 97 years of age.
Donald is survived by his wife of 74 years, Clara Whattoff; his seven children, Jeanie (John) Nordyke, Elaine (Steve) Stone, Kathie Whattoff, Sherry (Steve) Erb, Nancy (Peter) Flynn, Donald (Vickie) Whattoff, and Becky (David) Soukup; 24 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Murl (Wanda) Whattoff.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Whattoff; and his brother, Vernard Whattoff.
Memorial contributions may be made to Opportunity Village, Clear Lake, Iowa in honor of his granddaughter, Lori Harriman.
Funeral Service
SEP 3. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Napier United Methodist Church
1595 Xenia Drive
Ames, IA, US, 50014Graveside Service
SEP 3. 02:00 PM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
310 E 9th St.
Ames, IA, US
http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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