Donald Franklin Edwards

Donald Franklin Edwards, 82, of Keokuk, formerly of Oxford, entered heaven on June 8, 2006, due to complications of Parkinson's disease and pneumonia. He was born on December 26, 1923 to Lewis and Myrtle (Christee) Edwards on the family farm near Oxford, Iowa. He attended Iowa Township School #7 and graduated from Oxford High School in 1941. In December 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training in Ft. McLellan, Ala., he joined the European Theater of Operations. He participated in the Battle of Brittany in France and the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany before being injured in the crossing of the Roer River in February, 1945. After a long recovery in the U.S. he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Donald married his sweetheart Bonnie Merle Beam of Cedar Rapids on May 13, 1945 in Cedar Rapids. The couple settled near Oxford where Donald farmed for several years. They operated the Oxford Hardware store from 1953 to 1973. From 1974 to 1978 the family lived in Jefferson, Iowa, where Donald operated the Ace Hardware store. In 1978 they relocated to Keokuk, where Donald owned and operated Hocker Estates mobile home court. He later owned and operated Western Pines mobile home court in West Burlington. Donald was a devout Christian and a long-time member of Keokuk Evangelical Free Church. He was a devoted husband and father and loved his work. He enjoyed restoring antique automobiles. He also had a pilot's license for many years and enjoyed flying his Cessna. In later life he enjoyed researching and sharing family history. Although he was a quiet man, friends and family knew him to have a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. Donald is survived by a brother, Howard (Leona) of Iowa City; a sister-in-law, Marian Edwards of Williamsburg; a brother-in-law, Ronald Beam of Cedarville, Ill.; his children, David of Mountain View, Calif., Joyce Christee of Mazomanie, Wis., Joel of Princeton, and Christopher (Anne) of North Liberty; nine grandchildren, Ben, Cambra, Nick, Katie, Jared, Rachael, Heather, Mary, and Daniel; six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Kaitlyn, Michael, Jaeger, Ilina, and Jaden; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie; and a brother, Merlyn. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Vigen Memorial Home. Burial with graveside services and military rites was held in the Oxford, Iowa cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Keokuk Evangelical Free Church, 2315 S. 7th Street, Keokuk, 52632. We never lose the ones we love although they go away. In our hearts and memories they will forever stay.