Donald Ignatius Meighan Jr., 89

Published 7:00 am Thursday, October 31, 2019

Donald Ignatius Meighan Jr., 89, beloved brother and uncle, passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at MercyOne Hospice House in Johnston, Iowa, after a brief stay.

Donald Ignatius Meighan Jr., 89

Don, or Donny to his close family, was born on Feb. 14, 1930, in Austin, Minnesota. Don served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1951. Donny will always be lovingly remembered as “The Game Warden” because of his affinity for creating new games and for creating new rules to old games. His family always looked forward to his visits to see what new game he would teach everyone. A favorite Christmas tradition was Uncle Donny’s “money box” for his nieces and nephews. Starting with the youngest child, each one could reach in and grab one handful of coins. He worked in the broadcasting business for many years in Minnesota, Iowa, Alaska, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois and Washington. In his later years, Donny owned and operated The Game Store in Yakima, Washington. Don was known by his friends and relatives for “living life his way.” Three years ago, he moved from Yakima to Grimes, Iowa, to live with his younger sister, Dallas Davis, and to be closer to family in Iowa and Minnesota.

He is survived by his sisters, Dallas Davis and Lou Ann Leonard; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Meighan Sr.; his mother, Helen Meighan (nee Arens); and his sister, Diana Rinaldi.