Don Dunham

Don Dunham, 65, formerly of rural Dillon, currently residing in Marshalltown, died Wednesday, December 22, 2010, at the Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, at the LeGrand Friends Church with Pastor Alan Mullikin officiating. Burial will take place at the LeGrand Friends Cemetery. Visitation for Don will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., on Monday, December 27 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed in his name to his family. For further information or to send a condolence please call (641) 844-1234 or visit www.mitchellfh.comDon was born December 21, 1945 in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of George E. Dunham and Shirley Overstake. He was raised in the rural LeGrand and Tama areas and graduated from the LDF High School in 1964. Following high school Don attended the Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri. Don was united in marriage to Susan Fanton on August 20, 1965, at the LeGrand Friends Church. To this union three children were born: Jeff, Josh and Jessi. Don worked for over thirty-seven years in the Railroad industry serving the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for twenty-nine years in Marshalltown and then following the Union Pacific Railroad purchase of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, Don and Susan moved to Desoto, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri where he worked until the time of his retirement. Following his retirement Don and Susan returned to Marshalltown to be closer to their family. Don also actively coached high school football, boys basketball and girls basketball in LeGrand from 1985 to 1995. Above all Don was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather papa to his family. Don and Susan attended all of their childrens and grandchildrens school athletic activities. Don was a member of the LeGrand Friends Church.Don is survived by his wife Susan of Marshalltown, his three children: Jeff Dunham of Marshalltown, Josh (Robin) Dunham of Urbandale and Jessi (Brad) Schiller of Nevada, his five grandchildren: Chelsea, Abby, Keegan, Payton and Graci, his mother Shirley Dunham of Marshalltown, his siblings: Terry (Linda) Dunham of rural Marshalltown, Barry Dunham of rural Marshalltown and Vicki Skopp of Marshalltown, as well as several nieces, nephews and in-laws.Don was preceded in death by his father George E. Junior Dunham, his mother and father in-law: Martha & George Wendell Fanton, his two brothers-in-law: Tom Skopp and John Fanton and his nephew Keven Niederhauser.