Donald Day

DONALD WAYNE DAY

Donald Wayne Day, age 89, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away Monday, January 1, 2018 at The Kensington in Fort Madison.

Donald was born December 20, 1928, at Packwood, IA, a son of Otto and Blanche E. Wright Day.

He attended grade school in Scotland Co., graduating from Granger High School in 1946. For the next two years he worked for Dryden Rubber Co., in Keokuk before entering the U.S. Army. He was discharged in 1950 15 days early due to hardship in the family and several months later, on October 29, 1950, he was united in marriage to Juanita E. White. In February of 1951, he was drafted into the Army and served until February 2, 1953 at the rank of Staff Sgt.

Survivors include two sons, Mark (Donna) Day of Donnellson, IA and Michael (Martha) Day of Maple Valley, WA; a son-in-law, Pat Huppert of Ft. Madison, IA; six grandchildren: Corey (Belinda) Day of Warrensburg, MO, Jesse (Lexi) Day of Franklin, IA, Jeremy (Kate) Day of Boston, MA, Shane (Jessica) Day of Ravensadlae, WA, Greg Hathaway of Ft. Madison, IA, and Peter (Chelsi) Huppert of Keokuk, IA; two step-grandchildren, Jason Huppert and Billy (Dana) Huppert, all of Ft. Madison, IA; fifteen great grandchildren: Kori, Jessie, Logan Day, Wyatt, Charli and Sydney Day, Charlotte and Luke Day, Sara and Titus Day, Hunter, Gage, and Paige Hathaway, and Jacoby and Robert Huppert; a step great-grandson, Jace Huppert; two brothers, Bert (Peggy) Day of Branson, MO, Richard (Karen) Day of Salem, OR; one sister, Leona Oliver of Salem, OR; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Doris White of Memphis, MO, Doris Day of Gorin, MO, Carol Day of Abingdon, IL and Johnny Johnson of TX; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife; his daughter, Pam Huppert; a grandson, Travis Hathaway; a step-grandson, Brian Huppert; brothers and sisters: Robert, Opal, Vera Hamilton, Rodney, Earl, and Esther Johnson; sisters and brothers-in-law: Harold Dean White, Norman and Elaine Bramer, Harold and Naoma Brammer, Dail White, Faye Day, and Howard Hamilton; also, several nieces and nephews.

Don was of the Methodist faith. He was a 50 plus year member of St. Francisville Lodge #588, A.F.&A.M., a member of the Lion’s Club at Cantril, IA and a dear friend to many.

Following his discharge in 1953, Donald returned to Sheller Globe and worked there a total of 10 years. The next 25 years he was employed by Chevron Chemical Co. in Fort Madison, retiring as a shift supervisor when the plant closed in November of 1986. Following retirement he worked a period of time for Faeth’s Apple Orchard. Also following his retirement, he and Juanita bought, restored, and sold homes before "flipping" was even popular. The kids knew when spring came that their mom and dad would likely be moving and taking on a new project. As children, Don loved taking his kids on picnics and travels. They also enjoyed raising ponies. Family was very dear to both sides of the family and he and Juanita loved spending time with their own and their extended families.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Mark Drummond officiating. Recorded music selections were: "The Lord's Prayer", "Grandpa, Tell Me About The Good Old Days" and "Cowboy Rides Away". Pallbearers were: Corey Day, Jesse Day, Jeremy Day, Shane Day, Greg Hathaway and Peter Huppert. Honorary pallbearers were: Jason Huppert and Billy Huppert. Burial with military rites followed in the Ashton Cemetery.

Friends called at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Friday with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.

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