Donald F. Blackford, 89, of rural Norwalk, passed away on Sunday, November 16, at the Indianola Good Samaritan Center.  Services will be held Thursday, November 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service.  Burial will be at the Norwalk Cemetery.

Donald was a life-long farmer in rural Norwalk who loved his hunting dogs.  On July 13, 1940, Donald married F. Roine Gracey.  They farmed together for 48 years. They enjoyed showing their miniature mules at Living History Farms and driving their mule hitch in parades.  They entered hitch competitions at the Iowa State Fair as well as neighboring state fairs.

On July 8, 1989, Donald married Louis Relph of Cambria, Iowa.  They shared interests of ponies, mules, and traveling.

Donald is survived by two sons, Jerry of Des Moines, and Tom (Shirley) of Norwalk; two grandchildren, Eric (Alegra) Blackford of LaMarque, Texas, and April (Joel) Hutsell of Abilene, Texas; sister, Dorothy Johnson of Indianola, and brother, Leslie (Sam) of Norwalk.  He was preceded in death by parents, Floyd and Ruth Blackford; wife Roine; brother, John; and sister, Vera Riley.

Memorials may be made to Friends of Iowa Public TV, 6535 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa 50131.  Online condolences may be sent at www.overtonfunerals.com.