Donald Thompson

DONALD THOMPSON

Marion

Donald E. Thompson, 89, a resident of Marion, entered into eternal rest May 6, 2014, following an extended illness. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church, Marion, with the Rev. Jon Moss officiating. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Cedar Me-morial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene, whom he met while on a blind date upon his return from military service following World War II; daughters, Janice (David) Adams of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Donna (Martin) Finnegan of Vermillion, S.D.; son, Kevin (Debbie) Thompson of Columbia, Mo.; grandchildren, Kari (Andy Kilgore), James (Nikkie) Finnegan, Megan (Dustin Tjeerdsma), Christine Adams, Kaitlyn and Alyssa Thompson; five great-grandchildren; a nephew; and many cousins and dear friends.

Born Sept. 28, 1924, Don and his family lived on their family farm near Central City until 1997, when he retired from farming and he and his wife moved to Marion.

Don was a graduate of Alburnett High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1942, and studied to become a pilot. He earned his wings on Aug. 4, 1944, and served in the U.S. Air Force where he flew B-17's over Germany. Upon return home after the war he continued to be active in the Air Force Reserve until Sept. 28, 1984, at which time he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Don loved the land he and his family farmed, and had a passion for flying as illustrated by his continued involvement with the Civil Air Patrol and his regular attendance at the Experimental Aviation Association, where he was happy to share his knowledge and experiences as a B-17 pilot.

Don was a member of American Legion Post 421 of Central City, the Mighty 8th Air Force, the 384th Bomb Group (H), the Reserve Officers Association, the Iowa Chapter of Civil Air Patrol, Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church and Alburnett Lions Club. He served on the boards of Brown Township Mutual Insurance and the Alburnett Community Schools for many years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Delores (Charles) DeMar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or the Wounded Warriors Fund, www.wounded warriorproject.org, in Don's memory.