Services
Obituary
Don Staples, 77, of Clarion passed away Monday, October 7, 2013 at his home in Clarion.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Monsignor Joseph Slepicka officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Arcadia at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2013.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, in Clarion with a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Donald Wilbur Staples was born April 24, 1936 to Ted and Margaret (Schroeder) Staples in Carroll. Don graduated from Arcadia High School with the class of 1954 and enlisted in the Army Reserves.
Don was united in marriage to Gail Long on June 21, 1958, and to this union, nine children were born.
Don worked at the Arcadia Locker for several years before he and the family moved to Clarion, where he owned and operated the locker until 1998. Don also worked at the Chicken Inn in Halbur, Farmland Foods in Denison, Piccadilly Circus Pizza in Clarion, Monsanto in Clarion and for the City of Clarion.
Don loved horses and participated in many horse shows around the area. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and trips to the casino.
Don was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion, and formerly a member of St. John’s in Arcadia. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World, and served as a volunteer fire fighter in Arcadia.
Don is survived by his wife Gail Staples of Clarion; children Steve Staples of Arcadia, Iowa, Mike Staples of Krum, Texas, Nancy (Jim) Herrig of Wall Lake, Iowa, Donna (Ron) Peterson of Carroll, Iowa, Joan Fleener of Wall Lake, Lisa (Marty) Beachy of Britt, Iowa, Susie (fiance’ Ronnie Barnett) Bird of Ute, Iowa, and Kevin (Karen) Staples of Goldfield, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one sister Carol (Wayne) Molak Eich of Arcadia; one brother-in-law Clete Behrens of Carroll; along with 10 nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.
Don is preceded in death by his daughter Sherri Greenlee, his parents Ted and Margaret Staples, parents-in-law Lambert and Marie Long, a sister-in-law Sandy Behrens, and a brother-in-law Frank Molak.