BRIGHTWELL, Douglas E. (1954-2021)

BRIGHTWELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2022 at 13:16:01

Douglas Eric Brightwell
(December 18, 1954 - November 12, 2021)

Douglas Eric Brightwell, 66, passed away November 12th, 2021, at home in Indianola Iowa. He was born on December 18th, 1954, in Mannheim Germany; adopted and raised by Dorothy Ann Dee and Ralph Lowell Brightwell. Doug lived an extraordinary life. Having lived in several places amongst the states, due to the fact that his father was active in the United States Army. He loved sharing stories of his childhood and all that he enjoyed to do including, collecting and creating model cars, hunting with his parents, bowling with friends and family, taking trips, learning history and watching movies. As life went on, Doug and his parents settled in Owasa, Iowa, where they opened a bar, The Broken Arrow, where later on Doug took over and ran it himself. For the rest of his work life, he remained around food services; a lot of years spent cooking, supervising, catering, and became assistant director manager of Chartwells.
Unfortunately, Doug was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, which put a halt on his working life. He got through chemo and radiation and spent some time recovering. Once he was feeling better, he really focused on spending time with his children and grandchildren. There was nothing Doug loved more than being a father and a papa, they were his world. No matter the occasion he was always there with and for them, from birthdays, holidays, graduations, mall/movie visits, pumpkin patch trips, fairs, Good Guys car festivals, going out to eat, and of course the birth of his grandchildren. In fact, he watched his grandchildren up into the very last moments of his life. Doug was nothing more than a kind-hearted, helpful, thoughtful, intelligent, resilient, witty individual, a believer, fighter, and a survivor.
Doug’s remembrance will be carried out and cherished by all those who knew and loved him, for this is not a goodbye, but an “until I see you again.”
He is survived by his children, Kristal Churchill, Lanie Brightwell, Kenzie Brightwell, Jaime Rosonke, Andrew Howell; grandchildren, Matthew, Maci, Braylee, Bentley, Haven, Amelia. He is preceded in death by his son, Lucas James Brightwell; parents, Ralph and Dorothy Brightwell; aunt and uncle, Larry and Arlene Reinke.
Funeral liturgy service will be held 7 p.m., Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to service from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to the family in his name for a contribution at a later date. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/