Donald E. Beach, age 83, of Grinnell, died on Monday, March 7, 2011, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Graveside services at Garrett Cemetery near Delta, with pastor John Epperson officiating.
Don was born on August 31, 1927, in Martelle, the son of Earl Raymond Beach and Vera Maude Kester. He was raised and educated in Mt. Vernon and Montezuma.
He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 19, 1945, and served during World War II as a Seaman First Class on the USS Santa Fe and the USS Xanthus in the areas of China, Japan, and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged from active service on June 18, 1949.
He married Elinor Parkhurst on November 17, 1948, in Grinnell. They were the parents of Alan, Edward, and Linda. The couple lived and farmed near Montezuma for a short time and then moved to Grinnell. Don was employed as an ambulance driver in Grinnell and worked for the Poweshiek County Road Department as a mechanic and a truck driver for several years.
Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who always provided for his family. He enjoyed fishing, camping, grilling, maintaining a beautiful yard, and helping Elinor tend to her rose garden.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elinor Beach, of Grinnell; his children, Alan (Katie) Beach of Salt Lake City, Utah, Edward (Linda) Beach of Buckeye, Arizona, and Linda Berndt of Newton; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughter, Courtney Berndt, in 1993.
Donald E. Beach, age 83, of Grinnell, died on Monday, March 7, 2011, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Graveside services at Garrett Cemetery near Delta, with pastor John Epperson officiating.
Don was born on August 31, 1927, in Martelle, the son of Earl Raymond Beach and Vera Maude Kester. He was raised and educated in Mt. Vernon and Montezuma.
He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 19, 1945, and served during World War II as a Seaman First Class on the USS Santa Fe and the USS Xanthus in the areas of China, Japan, and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged from active service on June 18, 1949.
He married Elinor Parkhurst on November 17, 1948, in Grinnell. They were the parents of Alan, Edward, and Linda. The couple lived and farmed near Montezuma for a short time and then moved to Grinnell. Don was employed as an ambulance driver in Grinnell and worked for the Poweshiek County Road Department as a mechanic and a truck driver for several years.
Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who always provided for his family. He enjoyed fishing, camping, grilling, maintaining a beautiful yard, and helping Elinor tend to her rose garden.
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elinor Beach, of Grinnell; his children, Alan (Katie) Beach of Salt Lake City, Utah, Edward (Linda) Beach of Buckeye, Arizona, and Linda Berndt of Newton; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughter, Courtney Berndt, in 1993.
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