Tomash, Donald William

Donald William Tomash, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Oct. 3, 2009, after a long struggle with heart and kidney problems. Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, in Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Fred Darbonne. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, immediately following the service.

Don was born April 30, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, to William and Tillie Tomash. He attended Wilson High School and was married to Sharlene Spina-Staskal on Oct. 3, 1959. Don retired from Cherry-Burrell in 1987 after 34 years, many of them spent as a quality control inspector.

Don was very proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953, serving in Korea. He was a former president of REACT in Cedar Rapids.

He was especially gifted with mechanical abilities and the inventor of various devices. He loved to keep up with advancements in technology and learned sign language to communicate with fellow workers. He enjoyed working on automobiles, especially his 1926 Model T. Don enjoyed oil and watercolor painting, creating many paintings for his family. Don enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing. He was usually the winner at family pinochle card nights. After retirement, Don and Shar spent many winters in Texas making new friends.

Don gave his greatest gift to his wife, living until their 50th anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, Sharlene; his children, Joy Ann Pollock and husband Doug of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Vernon Staskal and wife Kathy of Cedar Rapids, Ron Becker and wife Andrea of Dyer, Ind., Doreen Gonzales and husband Chris of Fort Collins, Colo., Douglas Staskal and wife Margie of Des Moines and Donna Fraley and husband Dave of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Tiffany McNeill and husband Donald, Daniele Wikoff and husband Phil, Luke Staskal, Jody Olson and husband Mike, Anna Grencik and husband Mike, Christine Roche and husband Pete, Beth Becker and finance Marco Butorac, Renee Becker, Sarah Chadwick, Lindsey Becker, Elizabeth Lamphere and husband Travis, Matt Staskal, Todd Gonzales, Derek Gonzales, Haley Hymer and husband Jaime, Melissa Fraley and Robert Fraley; great-grandchildren, Maximus McNeill, Ava and Tyler Olson, Michael Grencik, Robert and Christopher Roche, and Tyler and Cameron Chadwick, special niece, Diane Gunderson and husband Russ; great-nephews and great-nieces; many cousins and friends; and constant companion, his dog, Todo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Marcella Tomash Sumner.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and friends at Mercy Medical Center Dialysis, Mercy Hospice, and the many doctors and nurses who have taken care of him over the years.

Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.

Please sign the online guest book for Donald at under obituaries.