SEARS, Donald (1920-1998)

SEARS

Posted By: Von Stachon (email)
Date: 3/10/2007 at 13:47:56

OBITUARY

DONALD SEARS

Donald R. Sears, 77, 1904 Belmont Ave., Grinnell, died Friday, Jan. 30, 1998, at his home.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, 1998 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with he Rev. Robert Zirkelbach and the Rev. Damon Reese officiating. Organist was Kathy McCune.

Casket bearers were John Danker, Robert Elliott, Craig Holub, Kevin Sears, Mike Sears, Larry Temple and Ron Wilkinson. Honorary bearers were members of the original Saturday morning men's Bible study group; Ed Bohstedt, Ed Huyser, Ervin Meredith and the Rev. Harley Schull.

Military rites were conducted by the Grinnell Veterans ceremonial unit. Burial was in Chester Cemetery, near Grinnell.

Memorials may be made to Birthright, Grinnell Christian School, or to the Grace Community Church.

Donald Sears was born March 20, 1920, near Grinnell to Homer A. and Mae (Stahl) Sears. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Newburg High School with the Class of 1938.

During World War II, he served with the US Army in the Pacific Theater.

On Jan. 1, 1946, he was married to Margaret Farnham at Traer. The couple farmed near Traer until 1968 when they moved to Grinnell. While living in Grinnell he owned and operated Don Sears Implement Company and was a representative for Pennsylvania Life Insurance Company.

He was a member of the NFO, the Republican Party, Birthright and Post #142 of the American Legion in Traer. He was a long-time member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Grinnell and recently attended the Grace Community Church of Grinnell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Edger (Bud) Sears; and two sisters, Ruth Temple and Lois Danker.

Donald is survived by his wife, Margaret Sears of Grinnell; four sons, Chuck Sears of Kansas City, MO, Wayne Sears of Chicago, IL, Bruce Sears of Three Lakes, Wisc., and Joel Sears of Spokane, WA; three daughters, Gail Petrich of Oak Park, IL, Joyce Otto of Malcom and Joann Sears of Oak Park, IL; 22 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Art Sears of Hiawatha and Kenneth Sears of La Porte City and three sisters, Rhoda Wilkinson of Sumner, Wilma Holub of Buckingham and Dorothy Elliott of Dysart.