URBANDALE, Iowa — Donald M. Childes, 91, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on May 8, 2014, due to respiratory failure.
Don was born in Anderson, Ind., to Thomas and Mary (Walker) Childes. He graduated from Anderson High School before attending Purdue University to study engineering. He served his country in World War II as a pilot of B-17 aircraft in the Army Air Corps. Don married his high school sweetheart, Lolita Montgomery. Together they raised two sons, Douglas and Bradley. He was a partner in the Childes family businesses and had other self-employed business ventures in Anderson.
He was a kind man who enjoyed singing and dancing to the 1940s Big Band era songs. His day was not complete without a crossword puzzle, a TV western and an afternoon cocktail. Don loved his daughters-in-law, Linda and Antha. He had three grandchildren, Jana, Thomas and Nic, whom he cherished, as well as four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Lily, Keaton and Everett.
Cremation rites have been performed, per his wishes. A private family service will be scheduled at a later date at Jones Cemetery in Muncie, Ind.
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WWII Veteran and Ex-POW. B-17 Co-pilot assigned to 527th Bomb Sqn, 379th Bomb Grp, 8th AF. 31 missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Zietz 30-Nov-44 in B-17 42-107014 'Lucy'; Shot down by flak Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Aircrew Report 11057 Held at Stalag Luft I Barth, Germany.
Contributor: Al Skiff (49788721) 6-23-2019
Don was born in Anderson, Ind., to Thomas and Mary (Walker) Childes. He graduated from Anderson High School before attending Purdue University to study engineering. He served his country in World War II as a pilot of B-17 aircraft in the Army Air Corps. Don married his high school sweetheart, Lolita Montgomery. Together they raised two sons, Douglas and Bradley. He was a partner in the Childes family businesses and had other self-employed business ventures in Anderson.
He was a kind man who enjoyed singing and dancing to the 1940s Big Band era songs. His day was not complete without a crossword puzzle, a TV western and an afternoon cocktail. Don loved his daughters-in-law, Linda and Antha. He had three grandchildren, Jana, Thomas and Nic, whom he cherished, as well as four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Lily, Keaton and Everett.
Cremation rites have been performed, per his wishes. A private family service will be scheduled at a later date at Jones Cemetery in Muncie, Ind.
*************
WWII Veteran and Ex-POW. B-17 Co-pilot assigned to 527th Bomb Sqn, 379th Bomb Grp, 8th AF. 31 missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Zietz 30-Nov-44 in B-17 42-107014 'Lucy'; Shot down by flak Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Aircrew Report 11057 Held at Stalag Luft I Barth, Germany.
Contributor: Al Skiff (49788721) 6-23-2019
URBANDALE, Iowa — Donald M. Childes, 91, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on May 8, 2014, due to respiratory failure.
Don was born in Anderson, Ind., to Thomas and Mary (Walker) Childes. He graduated from Anderson High School before attending Purdue University to study engineering. He served his country in World War II as a pilot of B-17 aircraft in the Army Air Corps. Don married his high school sweetheart, Lolita Montgomery. Together they raised two sons, Douglas and Bradley. He was a partner in the Childes family businesses and had other self-employed business ventures in Anderson.
He was a kind man who enjoyed singing and dancing to the 1940s Big Band era songs. His day was not complete without a crossword puzzle, a TV western and an afternoon cocktail. Don loved his daughters-in-law, Linda and Antha. He had three grandchildren, Jana, Thomas and Nic, whom he cherished, as well as four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Lily, Keaton and Everett.
Cremation rites have been performed, per his wishes. A private family service will be scheduled at a later date at Jones Cemetery in Muncie, Ind.
*************
WWII Veteran and Ex-POW. B-17 Co-pilot assigned to 527th Bomb Sqn, 379th Bomb Grp, 8th AF. 31 missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Zietz 30-Nov-44 in B-17 42-107014 'Lucy'; Shot down by flak Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Aircrew Report 11057 Held at Stalag Luft I Barth, Germany.
Contributor: Al Skiff (49788721) 6-23-2019
Don was born in Anderson, Ind., to Thomas and Mary (Walker) Childes. He graduated from Anderson High School before attending Purdue University to study engineering. He served his country in World War II as a pilot of B-17 aircraft in the Army Air Corps. Don married his high school sweetheart, Lolita Montgomery. Together they raised two sons, Douglas and Bradley. He was a partner in the Childes family businesses and had other self-employed business ventures in Anderson.
He was a kind man who enjoyed singing and dancing to the 1940s Big Band era songs. His day was not complete without a crossword puzzle, a TV western and an afternoon cocktail. Don loved his daughters-in-law, Linda and Antha. He had three grandchildren, Jana, Thomas and Nic, whom he cherished, as well as four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Lily, Keaton and Everett.
Cremation rites have been performed, per his wishes. A private family service will be scheduled at a later date at Jones Cemetery in Muncie, Ind.
*************
WWII Veteran and Ex-POW. B-17 Co-pilot assigned to 527th Bomb Sqn, 379th Bomb Grp, 8th AF. 31 missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Zietz 30-Nov-44 in B-17 42-107014 'Lucy'; Shot down by flak Prisoner of War (POW). Missing Aircrew Report 11057 Held at Stalag Luft I Barth, Germany.
Contributor: Al Skiff (49788721) 6-23-2019
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