Donald Laverne Wignall

Donald Laverne Wignall, the son of John Wyatt and Jessie (Wilson) Wignall, was born Jan. 23, 1927 in Mystic. He graduated from the Melrose Senior High School. Don enlisted in the Navy at age 17, serving on the U.S.S. Nevada battleship during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, Don attended accounting school in Ottumwa, and received his associates degree in 1948. He went to work for the Maytag Company retiring in 1989, after 40 years of service.

On July 2, 1949, Don was united in marriage with Barbara P. Stroud at the Sacred Heart Church in Chariton. Don enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and hunting mushrooms with family. In later years he enjoyed traveling, playing cards and fishing with good friends, Paul and Kay Koeppen. Paul and Don were fishing buddies for more than 40 years. Don was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served as treasurer for many years and Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. Barb and Don led the Rosary Sunday mornings for the past 25 years. Don also enjoyed doing income tax preparation for low income and homebound individuals for 10 years; counting money for the church and assisting the priests in their bookkeeping.

Don died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 88 years old. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James.

Those left to honor Don’s memory include his children, Michael (Cathy) Wignall of Newton, David A. “Andy” (Deb) Wignall of Ankeny, Patrick (Tina) Wignall of Anna, Texas, Mary Kathleen (Dick) Bailey of Houston, Texas, Joseph (Teri) Wignall of Gurnee, Ill., Brian (Julie) Wignall of Las Vegas, Nev., Christopher Wignall of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Jan Marie (Doug) Chapman of Boone; his 17 grandchildren; his 15 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Marjorie Ryan.

A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The family will greet friends Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. A public vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Memorials may be designated in Don’s name to the American Heart Association or to Sacred Heart Church and may be left at the church or at Pence-Reese Funeral Home.