Don Pfantz

Don E. Pfantz, 85, of Melbourne, Iowa passed away on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa with his family at his side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 9th at the Trinity Lutheran Church in State Center. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8th at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. For further information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.Don was born on February 6, 1927 in State Center, Iowa. He was the son of Albert and Elvira (Smith) Pfantz. Don was raised in the State Center area and graduated from State Center High School. He also attended college for two years. Don was a member of the United States Army and honorably served our country during World War II from 1945-1946. He was united in marriage to Joan Margaret Damman on October 2, 1949 and they were the first couple to be married at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, they made their home, farmed and raised their family in the Melbourne area. Don was a member of the Harlan C. Pfantz American Legion Post #122 in State Center, a member of the board of First State Bank in Conrad as well as a Director of Marshall Mutual Insurance Association. Don enjoyed ballroom dancing, watching all of the sporting events of his grandkids and was loved by many for his great sense of humor. He could make friends with anyone he met and his smiling face and personality warmed the hearts of many.Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 63 years, Joan Pfantz; his children: Doug (Penny) Pfantz of Melbourne, Joel (Cristi) Pfantz of Melbourne and Jody (Terry) White of Plano, Texas; his grandchildren: Zachary (Stacy) Pfantz, Brant (Michelle) Pfantz, Nick Pfantz, Melissa (Alex) Blood, Josh Pfantz, Amber Pfantz, Chase White, Riley White; his great-grandchildren: Tate Pfantz, Tessa Pfantz, Noah Pfantz and Ashtyn Blood; two sisters, Gerry Kuhl of Marshalltown and Joleen Terrell of Waterloo and also several nieces and nephews.Don was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers: Glen Pfantz, Marvin Pfantz and Merland Pfantz.