Donald Altheide

Donald Vernette Altheide, 92, passed away May 7, 2025 at his home in Bloomfield, Iowa. He was born January 14, 1933 to Vernette and Elsie (Blackwell) Altheide at home in Stiles, Iowa. Don married Mary Lou Leonard in 1954, she passed away in 1973. To this union four children were born. After her death, he married Dolores “Dee” (Mason) Campbell in 1974. Donald was a graduate of Bloomfield High School in 1951. He was a lifelong member of the Stiles Christian Church, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and Deacon for many years. In his early years, he was a 4-H leader. Don was a Davis County farmer his entire life. He was the recipient of the first FFA Star Chapter Farmer award while still in high school, the Davis County Young Farmer award, and the 1975 Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. Don loved to play cards, especially Pitch, with the Petefish Scale Yards gang and the card club members. He was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly football and basketball, often challenging his sons and their friends to a basketball game well into his 60’s. He is survived by his wife, Dee, and their five children, Steve (Sheila) Altheide of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, Jeff (JoAnn) Altheide, Ed Altheide both of Bloomfield, LuAnn (Mark) Head of Chillicothe, Missouri, Shelley (Randy) Mitzelfelt of New Virginia, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, Travis (Marianne) Altheide, Shannon Altheide, Tiffany (Shaun) Weir, Amber Altheide, Caleb Altheide, Hannah (Matt) Ridgway, Luke Altheide, Mason Altheide, Ian (Amber) Mitzelfelt, Ethan Mitzelfelt, Eryn (Noah) Hefner, AJ (Kortney) Mitzelfelt; 13 great-grandchildren, Dylan and Peyton Altheide, Seamus and Amelia Altheide, Niya Damazo, Jamisyn Murphy, Elena, Barrett, and Benjamin Ridgway, River Altheide, Violet Hefner, Harper and Reid Mitzelfelt; sister, Marlene Cook of Ottumwa, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lou Altheide; three sisters, Helen (infant), Lois Fitzgerald, Phyllis Shelton; and a brother, Richard Altheide. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Kramer Smith and Steve Altheide officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to Stiles Christian Church and Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello Counties.

Donald Altheide

January 14, 1933 - May 7, 2025