Donald Chickering

Donald Hart Chickering, 82, of rural Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on June 27, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa. He was born on September 17, 1935 near Floris, Iowa to Charles Roosevelt and Doris Marguerite Hart Chickering. He married Kay Chickering on June 12, 1955 at the Floris Baptist Church and they recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Don was a hard-working farmer who raised cattle, pigs, chickens, beans, corn, and hay. After several years, he sold his livestock and continued raising crops. He was one of the first farmers in the area to practice no-till farming and his corn and bean yields often won awards. He also ran a bull dozer for many years with Joel Wuthrich and the two made many ponds in the county for people as well as doing other jobs together. Soil conservation was very important to Don and he was instrumental in starting the Soap Creek Water Shed Project. While not farming, Don was active in many organizations in Davis County, serving on the board of the Rural Electric Coop, Cattleman’s Association and Corn Growers Association. He was also an active member of the Floris Baptist Church where he served as deacon and trustee. Don played an active role in getting people to sign up for rural water in the planning stages of that project. Despite all the time and effort he put into farming, soil conservation, and working on the bull dozer he still found time to do a little fishing and to spend lots of time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Kay; seven children, Diana (Mike) Rysdam, Donald Mark (Judy) Chickering, Douglas (Karen) Chickering, Daniel (Tierre) Chickering, Deborah (Gary) Roberts, Danelle (David) Tucker, Danette (Jon) Elechicon; 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (David) Birdsall; mother-in-law, Celma “Sally” Birdsall; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren, Monica and Melissa Rysdam, Kyle Roberts; and a brother, Bob Chickering. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be at the Floris Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday with the family present to greet friends from 2-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Floris Baptist Church.

Donald Chickering

September 17, 1935 - June 27, 2018