Pirkl, Donald 'Don' F.

Donald “Don” F. Pirkl, 78, of Tiffin, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tiffin. Visitation will be heldThursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to Don's family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Donald was born May 7, 1934, the son of Floyd and Wilma (Cole) Pirkl, in rural Johnson County, in the same house as his mother was born, which was located next to where West High School now stands. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Patricia (Kabela), on June 12, 1956. They celebrated 56 wonderful years together. To this union they were blessed with four children, Connie, S. Christine, Edward, and Gary.

Don and Pat owned and operated P & D Repair for 56 years and ran the AAA wrecker service for over 30 years from their family farm south of Tiffin. He had served in the National Guard, and was a long time township trustee.

In later years, Don enjoyed restoring antique tractors and working on his antique cars. Don's children also kept him busy working on their cars. He enjoyed camping and was an officer in the Lasso E. Camping Club and a longtime member of the Herky City Sams Camping Club. Don also enjoyed traveling; they took a family 50th anniversary trip to Disney World, spent their first two-week vacation in Hawaii, and most recently went on an Alaskan cruise.

Don's family includes his wife, Pat; their children, S. Christine (Clayton) Land of Swisher, and their children, Jordan and Anne; Edward of Iowa City, and his daughters, Amber and Brittney; Gary of Tiffin; one brother, Keith (Barb) Pirkl; and sisters-in-law, Betty Sedlacek and Marilyn Jensen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Connie; daughter-in-law, Leslie Pirkl; and brothers-in-law, Donald Sedlacek and Richard Jensen.

Don will be greatly missed by his family and his pets, Smoke and Fluffy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Don's memory to Tiffin Fire Association, Iowa City Hospice or the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Published Sept. 20, 2012 in The Gazette