Don Terry Phelps' Obituary
Don Phelps age 80, of Mystic, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
Don was born on May 17, 1943 at home in Mystic, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Isal (Bills) Phelps. On April 4, 1965, Don joined the United States Army. He worked as a heavy equipment operator until being honorably discharged on April 4, 1967.
On September 12, 1967, Don was united in marriage to Sharon Barrell in Centerville, Iowa. To this union, two children were born, Paul Eugene and Michael DeWayne. He worked at Young Radiator for 20 years before retiring in 1999.
In his free time, Don enjoyed spending time with his family, and making sure everyone was well taken care of, especially the love of his life, Sharon. She was his world. He was also fond of going to Rutledge, gun trading, hunting, watching westerns, Paul Harvey, an avid Trump supporter, storytelling, spending time with his dog, Suzie, and cooking-especially holiday stew.
Left to honor Don's memory are his wife of 57 years, Sharon Phelps; his son, Michael (Stephanie) Phelps; his daughter-in-law, Pamela Phelps; his grandchildren, Sammi (Ricky) Ruckman, Michael (Ashtyn) Phelps, Amanda (Matt) Kury, Kiera (Elias) Phelps, Daveena Surber, Jake Surber, Salenea (Jordan) Phelps, and Joel Phelps; his great grandchildren, Evan, Jase, Jaxson, Landon, Logan, Zerek, Sophia, Nevaeh, Vinny, Vanessa, Emma, Aubree and Chase; his siblings, Norma McMahon and Barbara (Bob) Steen; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Isal Phelps; his in-laws, Robert and Velta Barrell; his son, Paul Phelps; his granddaughter, Brittany Zemo; his great granddaughter, Arianna Surber; his brothers, Jesse Phelps and Norman "Butch" Phelps; and his sisters, Helen Thomas, Pauline Thomas, Ethel Rice, Juanita Thomas, and Carol Wilson.
Funeral services for Don will be held at 1:00PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, with Pastor Jeremy Croteau officiating. Per Don's wishes, cremation will follow the service, and burial will take place at a later date at Elgin Cemetery in Mystic. Military Rites will be conducted at the funeral home following the service. Visitation will take place, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 11:00AM-1:00PM. Memorials may be written to Rae C. Walden, Post #214 (Centerville American Legion), and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Don Phelps Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
To view the livestream recording of the services for Don, please visit: https://my.gather.app/remember/don-phelps
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