Thursday, June 13, 2013, was the day that the event was held at the Anamosa Care Center. Beginning at five o’clock and continuing until seven o’clock, there will be a visitation for Don. Morgan Funeral Choices will be holding a service on Monday, June 17, at their Mount Vernon location… At eleven o’clock in the morning, the funeral was called to order.
The Reverend Bill Daylong is scheduled to deliver the sermon at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 18th. Don is left by his wife, Betty, to whom he has been married for 63 years; his children, Douglas Porter of Mount Vernon, Barbara Porter Porter of Hopkinton, and Kevin Porter of Marion, along with five granddaughters and five great-grandchildren; and his daughter, Barbara Porter Porter.
Don was married to Betty for 63 years. Prior to Don’s passing, his parents, his son Craig, his sister Beryl Walton, and his brother John Wayne Walton all passed away. In his family, Don was the only member who had survived. Don was born on the family farm in Mount Vernon on August 14, 1923. He was the youngest child of J. C. and Iva Beach Walton, and he was the youngest of their children.
Among their children, he was the youngest of the bunch. The year 1942 marked the year when he graduated from Mount Vernon High School with his diploma. On the 24th of May in the year 1950, he and Betty Detert exchanged their vows in the city of Cedar Rapids.
Don was a farmer for the entirety of his life, working on the fields that belonged to his family. During his fifteen years of employment at Brayton Chemical, he held the position of chemical delivery driver. He had a terrific sense of humor and was a person who was sociable and extroverted. He had a great deal of pleasure in spending time with his wife, children, and friends. Hospice of Mercy, which may be found at 315 18th Avenue, is the organization that will receive memorial gifts in honor of Don. All of his relatives, including his parents, one son named David Jon, and one granddaughter named Rachael Emmabeth, as well as his sister named Wilma Owens and two brothers-in-law named Clarence Gingerich and Marty Owens, had already passed away prior to his passing.
Donald was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church, where he had previously shown his dedication to the church by serving on a number of committees, the church board, and teaching an adult Sunday school class for a number of years. He was also a member of the church’s congregation. He attended schools located in more rural locations. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College in Pella and his Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Richland High School served as his educational institution of choice. In the years leading up to his relocation to Farmington, he had teaching positions in the Cotter Brighton and Kingsley instructional systems.
Following that, he was appointed to the position of principal of the High School program, and then, he was promoted to the position of principal and superintendent of the Harmony School System. Although he was serving in the United States Army, he was assigned to Fort Lewis Washington during his time there. Don, his wife Karen, and their children successfully ran The Emporium, which was situated in Farmington, for a considerable amount of time. They were the proprietors and operators of the business. Throughout the course of his life, Don took delight in both taking part in and watching a wide range of different sports.
He was present at each and every sporting event that his children took part in, and he did not miss a single one of their games. Additionally, he made it a point to participate in as many of his children’s other activities as he could, as well as being present for a significant number of his grandchildren’s activities. Golf was his favorite individual sport, and he especially enjoyed playing it with his son David, who lived in this area at the time, as well as with a number of pals at Green Acres. Other people who enjoyed playing golf with him included his son David. Additionally, he enjoyed going on bus trips with travel groups.
Traveling, being a member of the Branson Bunch for a number of years, seeing musical events and plays, and most importantly, spending time with his family and friends. He was a travel enthusiast.
On the day of the funeral, which is Thursday, March 28, 2013, friends and family are invited to pay their condolences at the Schmitz-Lynk Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa, commencing at one o’clock. Every evening, beginning at five o’clock and continuing until eight o’clock, the family will come together with their friends at this particular place. An event known as a Memorial Service is scheduled to take place at 10:30 in the morning.
