Donald M. Cavaness

Donald Cavaness, age 83, of Marshalltown, Iowa, formerly of Atkinson, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, with his loving family surrounding him. He had been residing at the Iowa Veterans Home for the past two weeks.

Graveside services were held for the family at Rock Valley Cemetery on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, with Pastor Dick Sipe of the First Baptist Church officiating.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at the Faith Wesleyan Church in Atkinson.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, is caring for Don and his family.

Donald Melvin Cavaness was born on Aug. 30, 1929, in Bell Tower, MT, the son of George Riley and Hazel Marie (Case) Cavaness. He attended high school in Chadron graduating with the class of 1947.

He went on to pursue his masters of science of industrial arts at Kearney State College in Kearney. Donald served his country honorably in the United States Air Force as a staff sargeant in the intelligence wing.

On Aug. 4, 1951, Donald and Naomi Alice Reynolds were united in marriage in Chadron. Don was a high school teacher at Centura High School in Cairo and West Holt High School in Atkinson. Don and Naomi had resided in Nebraska until two years ago when they relocated to Marshalltown. Don had been a member of the Faith Wesleyan Church in Atkinson.

He loved to hunt, read, watch old westerns, do leather and wood crafting, but his biggest joy was his loving family, wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Naomi; his six children, Jolene (Harry) Carver of Des Moines, Iowa, Rhonda (Bob) Hendricks and Gail (Mark) Henricks, all of Marshalltown, Iowa, Kim (Allen) Cheney of Guthrie Center, Iowa,  Bart Cavaness of Atkinson and Amy (Bryan) Hoffman of Sidney; 13 grandchildren, Kristin, James, Tanya, Trevor, Jeremy, Mandy, Kassie, Kyle, Skye, Colton, Dawson, Payge and Kelsey; 10 great-grandchildren, Kalven, Isabelle, Ava, Abigail, Hunter, Makayla, Ryder, Kaleb and two little ones on the way; a brother, Glen (Maxine) Cavaness and five nieces and nephews.

In death, Don joins his parents, George and Hazel; a brother, David and a sister, Irma Jeanne.

Memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to Wesleyan Missions Global Partners. 

For condolences visit: www.mitchellfh.com.