Donald Beach

Donald Beach

August 31, 1927 – March 07, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa

Visitation: 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 09, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Garrett Cemetery near Delta, Iowa
Memorials: Grinnell Regional Hospice, 106 – 4th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

Don was born on August 31, 1927 in Martelle, Iowa to Earl Raymond Beach and Vera Maude Kester. He was raised and educated in Mt. Vernon and Montezuma, Iowa respectively.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 19, 1945 and he 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 was united in marriage to Elinor Parkhurst on November 17, 1948 in Grinnell, Iowa. To this union three children were born, 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 he 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. His enjoyments included 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, Iowa; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents; and his granddaughter, Courtney Berndt in 1993.

Source: Smith Funeral Home