Donald "Don" G. Wingate

Donald “Don” G. Wingate, age 87, of Fairfield, passed away March 9, 2019, at Pearl Valley Rehabilitation in Washington, IA.

A Memorial Service will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Faith United Methodist Church in Libertyville, IA with Rev. John D. Boatman officiating. Burial of Cremains with military honors will be at Fell Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be 10:00 am to 11:00 am Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Faith United Methodist Church.

Memorials can be made to Faith United Methodist Church or to Fell Cemetery Association. Cards and memorials can be sent to Karen Wingate, 701 East Buchanan, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Donald “Don” G. Wingate was born February 5, 1932, to Arden P. and Mary (Roach) Wingate in West Frankfort, Illinois. He married Janet Bucher on October 31, 1952, and she passed away in May 21, 2006. Don then married Karen Greene on August 28, 2008.

Don has lived in Fairfield since 2013, and previously resided in Libertyville. Don served in what was the Army Air Corps for 3 years, including the Korean War’s Chosin Reservoir Battle in November of 1950. Don then served 22 years in the Air Force, including service in the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, he was assigned to the covert counterinsurgency program, Shining Brass, from March of 1966 to February 1967. For this service, he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal on February 14, 1967. He retired from the Air Force in 1970. Don worked at the Louden Company and retired for the second time in 1996. Don attended Faith United Methodist Church in Libertyville, IA, and was a member of VFW and American Legion.

Left to share Don’s memories are his wife Karen of Fairfield; children, Donna Jean (William) Byers of Fairfax, VA., Robert Lee (Kelley) Wingate of Mt. Pleasant, IA., and Timothy Arden (Kelly) Wingate of Ames, IA; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and siblings, Phil Wingate, Larry (Marilee) Wingate, and Tony (Kayleen) Wingate.

Don was preceded by his parents, Arden and Mary; first wife, Janet Wingate; brother, Ray Wingate; and sister, Dorothy Ward.