Charles
"Don" Donald Holmes passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Wayne County
Hospital in Corydon, Iowa at the age of 83 years.
Funeral
services will be Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher
Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends prior to the
service, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials may
be made in care of Don’s family to be designated at a later date.
The service and visitation will be conducted under CDC Guidelines, which
includes social distancing measures, and masks are recommended. The
service may be viewed on the Pierschbacher Funeral Home Facebook page
beginning at the service time.
https://www.facebook.com/pierschbacherfuneralhomes/
Charles
Donald Holmes, born September 22, 1936 in Chariton, Iowa, was the son
of Lloyd & Arneitus Holmes. Don’s father passed away when he was
only a year old. His uncles stepped in to help Arneitus raise both him,
and his sister, Mary Louise. Don grew up working on his Uncle Karl’s
farm. As a teenager, Don hitchhiked all the way to California. He
quickly returned to Iowa after experiencing culture shock. Don attended
Chariton High School and graduated with the class of 1954.
Don
proposed to Grace Anne Patterson of Chariton, Iowa on Valentine’s Day
1954 and the couple was united in marriage that August. They were
parents of four children: Michael Donald, Kathy Jo, Pamela Sue and
Deanne Kay.
Don worked hard over the years to support his
family. He was a dedicated Hy-Vee employee and worked in several Hy-Vee
stores, including those in Shenendoah, Ottumwa, Fairfield, Chariton and
Cedar Rapids. He served as store manager of the Chariton #2 Hy-Vee Food
Store for a couple of years starting in 1964.
In 1966 Don
& Grace opened Don’s Market in Russell. They employed a lot of young
people at the market over the years and Don was good to give them
advice and instill his wisdom. Don and Grace also owned and operated
Hile Locker in Russell.
In 1978 Don went back to work for
Hy-Vee, driving a truck for 20 years. He enjoyed being on the road and
was known over the CB Radio as “OT” or “Old Timer”.
Don &
Grace purchased the Arnold Lumberyard building in Russell. Don spent
most of his free time keeping the lumberyard upright. At some point he
began renting out space for campers. He really enjoyed his days working
in the lumberyard. Don would salvage everything with confidence that it
would serve a purpose down the road. He also liked to rig things up to
make work “easier”. In the early 90’s Don owned and operated the Russell
Feed Store.
Don and Grace Anne were members of Faith United
Methodist Church in Russell. They enjoyed traveling, eating out
together, and going for drives to admire the countryside. Above all
else, Don enjoyed spending time with his family. His children and
grandchildren meant the world to him.
Surviving Don are his
wife of 66 years, Grace Anne, and his children: Mike (Marian) Holmes of
Melrose, Kathy (Darwin) Mills of Russell, Pam (Galen) McCullough of
Chariton, and Deanne (Andy) Rich of Chariton.
Also surviving
are eleven grandchildren: Zack Holmes of Melrose, Shannon Holmes of
Melrose, Ryan (Gisela) Mills of Des Moines, Chad (Vanessa) Mills of
Chariton, Laura (Clayton) Mart of Chariton, Jeff McCullough of Ankeny,
Emily (Tyler) Porterfield of Indianola, Bailey (Jared Dudley) Smith of
Corydon, Brittney (Tyler Ramus) Smith of Ankeny, Mikayla Rich of Polk
City and Macray Rich of Chariton; fifteen great-grandchildren: Blaine,
Kyle, Eli, Gavin, Dylan, Tanlee, Carson, Emma, Isabella, Rebecca, Rylee,
Karley, Natalie, Jace and Tate; and sister Mary Louise O’Brien of
Chariton.
Preceding Don in death were his parents, Lloyd and
Arneitus; father-in-law, Don Patterson; mother-in-law, Wavel Patterson;
and brother-in-law, Dennis O’Brien.
