Donald Bryant

DONALD BRYANT

Cedar Rapids

Donald E. "Don" Bryant, 85, died Friday, May 27, 2016, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. Michael Erickson officiating. Private committal services will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone.

A memorial fund has been established for Bethany Lutheran Church.

Don was born May 4, 1931, in Van Horne to Nero and Mary (Knoke) Bryant. He graduated from Van Horne Consolidated High School in 1949. In 1950, he proudly entered the Marine Corps, where he served in the Mediterranean. He loved sharing his many memories aboard ship.

On Aug. 30, 1954, he married "the love of his life," Lydelle Mather, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church.

In 1957, Don graduated from the University of Iowa. He was a purchasing agent at National Oats for many years where several long lasting friendships were fostered. Don's favorite pasttime was playing poker and his nickname was "Dollar Don." He never bet big, but knew how to leave the table a winner. He also enjoyed gardening at his tomato patch and loved sharing his crop with family and friends. Don attended Bethany Lutheran Church, where he always looked forward to weekly Bible study.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy (David) Sisco of Cedar Rapids; sister, Dorothy (Roy) Ridenour of Burbank, Calif.; and brother, Dallas (Jackie) Bryant of Cedar Rapids.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lydelle; two infant children, Mary and Anthony; and brothers, Robert and Wayne.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.