Donald Vernon Tratchel

Donald Vernon Tratchel, 99, of Newton died Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at Careage of Newton.

A private family service was held at Newton Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Courthouse Christmas Tree Lighting Fund, Progress Industries or the donor’s choice may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home.

Donald, the son of William Warren and Elsie Edith (Ryan) Tratchel, was born on Sept. 11, 1914, in rural Kellogg. He graduated from Newton High School in 1934.  Donald served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II as an aviation engineer.

Donald was united in marriage with Anne Eileen Kelly on Oct. 27, 1938, in Newton. He had worked in auto body repair for 20 years and then at the Maytag Company for 30 years, retiring in 1980. At the Maytag Company, he worked as a tool and die inspector and as a supervisor for the last 10 years. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. While in the service and later as a hunter, Donald was an expert marksman.

Those left to honor Donald’s memory are his two daughters, Patricia Anne Tratchel of Newton and Donna Vee DeLong of Newton; three grandchildren, Kelly (Doug) Sorenson of Newton, Tess (Mitch) Stein of Des Moines and Ben (Courtney) DeLong of Des Moines; his two great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Ryanne Sorenson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anne in 2002; three brothers; and three sisters.