Donald Ray DAVIS
DAVIS, SLINING, BENSON, MARKKULA, GOANS, SWANSON, NOLTE, LITTLE, SORENSEN
Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/21/2007 at 19:22:17
Donald Ray Davis "Don" was born on December 28, 1927, to Howard and Bessie (Benson) Davis of Kanawha, Iowa. He was baptized at the Chapin Methodist Church and attended school in Kanawha. After his schooling, he spent two years on active duty in the United States Navy and continued in the Naval Reserves for an additional four years. He obtained his honorable discharge on December 12, 1952. After his discharge from the service, he was a milk hauler for 18 years with the Hampton Creamery, Belmond Dairy and later at the Harlan Creamery, as well as working as a manager at the Wells Blue Bunny plant. Don and Arlene started D & A Laundry in 1978 until their retirement in 1994. Even after his retirement, he continued to be hard-working, becoming a part-time employee with his daughter, Barb, at Touch of Class in Harlan.
He was united in marriage on December 22, 1950 to Arlene Slining of Belmond, Iowa. Seven children were born to this union: Dixie, Barb, Jerry, John, Sandy, Debbie, and Jeff. He had many hobbies and interests but his favorites were Nascar, garage sales, traveling, and camping. He also enjoyed music and the many trips out West, but most of all, he enjoyed the special times with his wife and family, whether it be Sunday breakfasts, playing cards, or a friendly surprise visit to his children. Don Davis was admitted to Myrtue Medical Center on November 10th and passed away at the facility on Monday, November 13, 2006. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Arlene, four infant brothers, his sister Marge, one grandson, Justin, and one son-in-law, Bruce Markkula.
Don is survived by seven children: Dixie (Sonny) Goans, Kirkman, Barb (Kim) Swanson, Harlan, Jerry (Leah) Davis, Harlan, John (Judy) Davis, Harlan, Sandy Markkula, Harlan, Debbie Davis, McPherson, Kansas, and Jeff Davis, Creston, Iowa, sixteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one brother Bob (Carol) Davis in Arizona, three sisters: Hilda Nolte, Stewartville, Minnesota, Darlene Little, Hampton, Iowa, and Janis Sorensen of Harlan, nieces, nephews, other family members, and many, many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 11:00 at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa with Rev. Al Hazelton serving as the clergy. Honorary casket bearers were Gene Nielsen, Billy Scheffler, Jim Elder, Richard Carl and Omer Scheffler with Joey Petsche, Brad McQueen, Mike Wohlhutter, Roger Christensen, Chris Goans and James Boardman as casket bearers. Military Rites were done by the Shelby County VFW Post No. 841, the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150. Interment was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, Iowa.
November 2006
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