Donald Joseph Chmelik, 88, of Tama, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at his home under the care of his family and Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. A Graveside Service will be held Friday, March 25, 2022, at 11:45 AM Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama with Military Honors.

Donald was born on May 27, 1933, the son of Louis and Tillie (Berka) Chmelik. It was comforting to know dad finished his life's journey at home in the house on the farm where he was born. The place he loved.

He graduated from Tama High School in 1951.

Don served his country as Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from January 3, 1952 until December 19, 1955. On August 1, 1953, he was united in marriage to Dorothy "Dot" Ione Hanus in Roswell, New Mexico, where he was stationed at the time.

After the service, he delivered milk for Borden's Milk and was a meat cutter when Hy-Vee opened in Marshalltown as well as in Tama. In 1964, Don took over the family farm southeast of Tama, which later became a century farm in the 1990s. Many times, his crops and high-quality livestock topped the market, which made him proud to be a farmer.

Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching westerns, listening to old time country music, and traveling. Some of his favorite places he visited included, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and the Czech Republic. His greatest enjoyment in life was the special times he spent fishing with his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-eight years, Dot Chmelik of Tama; one daughter, Connie Chmelik of Tama; one son, Allen (Tonya) Chmelik of Tama; four grandchildren, Alex Chmelik, Lydia Chmelik-Barthelmes, Derek (Natasha) Gaydos, and Kyle (Emily) Gaydos; five great-grandchildren, Cole and Braxton, Dalyn, Nylah, and Lilly; one sister, LaVon Shellenberger of Colorado Springs, CO; brother-in-law, Keith Hanus of Marshalltown; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one sister, June (Clifford) Feisel; one nephew, Larry Feisel; one brother, Kenneth Chmelik; one brother-in-law, Walt Shellenberger; and one sister-in-law, Caroline (Elaine) Hanus.

The family would like to thank Iowa River Hospice for their exceptional care and request that any memorials be directed to them.