Donald A. Schantz, age 84, of Washington, Iowa, died Monday, December 19, 2016, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a short illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 23, 2016, at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with Rev. Edward Wenger and Pastor Ryan Dexter officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Interment with Military Honors will take place at the Shiloh Cemetery south of Washington at a later date. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County or Marion Township/Shiloh Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent for Donald's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Donald Arthur Schantz was born October 25, 1932, in Washington County, the son of David R. and Ada Fannie (Christner) Schantz. He attended Shiloh Country School and graduated from Washington High School in 1950. Donald served honorably in the United States Army from 1952 until 1955. He was united in marriage to Mary L. Watson on May 18, 1956, in Muscatine, Iowa.

Donald was a life resident of Washington County, farming all of his life south of Washington. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Christian Church, the American Legion and the V.F.W. Donald enjoyed wintering in Texas the past nine years. Donald enjoyed square dancing and was a member of the Washington Shirts & Skirts Club and the Mt. Pleasant Promenaders Club. He enjoyed listening to Polka music, dancing with his granddaughters and playing cards with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time on the farm, going on ATV rides, mushrooming, and working on the steam engine with his dad.

He is survived by his wife, Mary L. Schantz of Washington, Iowa; son, David Schantz and wife Regina of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Kathryn Thompson and husband Michael of Brentwood, Tennessee; son, Alan Schantz and wife Karen of Strawberry Point, Iowa; daughter, Barbara Stevens and husband Wayne of Manassas, Virginia; daughter, Mary Manning and husband Craig of Brighton, Iowa; daughter, Linda Timmins and husband Dean of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Rebecca Mattson and husband Craig of Lockridge, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters: Pauline Duck of Leawood, Kansas; Ellen Crossett of Columbus Junction, Iowa; and Betty Beenblossom of Washington, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Manning; three sisters: Verda Henkel, Darlene Crile and Lavina Barton; and infant siblings, Rex Schantz and Viola Schantz.