Donald L. Gillham age 86 of Shenandoah, Iowa, passed away at his home in Shenandoah, on Wednesday October 1, 2014. Don was born in Chariton, Iowa on March 17, 1928, the son of Stanford and Edna Marie Owen Gillham.

Donald was raised in Chariton, attended and graduated from High School there. In his teen years he worked with his dad at the Earl Milnes Dairy Farm. At 16 he decided to leave the farm and work on a bridge crew. He graduated from Chariton High School in 1946, but was unable to attend his graduation because he was in Tokyo in the Army. He took his basic training in Knox, Kentucky, then reported to Fort Lewis, Washington where he headed to Japan on a troop ship. In Japan he worked in supply and delivered to various camps as well as General Douglas McArthur's residence.

After the service he joined the Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked for 34 years. He married and had three children, Robert, Ronald, and Sheryl.

He moves to Shenandoah in the late 70's where he resided the rest of his life. He was united in marriage to Sarah Ann King at Shenandoah on April 20, 2013.

Preceded in death by his parents, a sister Doris and two brothers, Lyle and Duane

Survivors include his wife Sarah of Shenandoah, Iowa; daughter Sheryl Karnes of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two sons, Robert Gillham (Cheryl) of Des Moines, Iowa, and Ronald Gillham (Christie) of Creston, Iowa. Grandchildren, Danielle O'Connor (Dennis), Kyle Karnes (fianc Michelle), Lori Mullen (Christopher), Valarie Bebee (Donnie). Great Grandchildren, Ethan Newman, Taylor and Tanner Mullen, Wyatt Auten, and Christopher Gillham. Other relatives and friends, including Vic Ingrim.

Burial will be held at the Oxford Cemetery near Chariton, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family.