Donald Francis Gavin was born on June 27th, 1931 to Francis "Shorty" and Helen Gavin. Don attended and graduated from St. Marys High School in 1949.

Don was a good baseball player and traveled about with his team and had an opportunity to try out for the Milwaukee Brewers minor league organization. Don married Barbara Watson and to this union five children were born all while working many jobs including operating a feed grinder business, driving a school bus and later driving for numerous freight companies such as H&W, Rock Island, and Century. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying many hunting trips and adventures as well as many days boating and camping.

Don and Joanne were married in 1992 and he was blessed with three more children. The couple resided in St. Marys until his passing.

The family would like to thank all who knew Don for the thoughts and prayers at this time of loss.

Don is survived by his wife, Joanne; children, Rebecca (Joseph) Goodman, Donna (Michael) McElwee, Lester (Brenda) Gavin, Ray (Sheri) Gavin; step-children, Tod (Sarah) Mullins, Sherri Shutt, Wayne (Anne) Mullins; 12 grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; siblings, Jim (Dorothy), Bob, Ben, Frank (Helen), Dave (Janette); many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Helen Gavin; daughter, Cynthia Hoekstra; great-granddaughter, Rachel Hoekstra; brothers, Dale, Joe, Charles; sisters-in-law, Pam and Janice.

Donald Francis Gavin, 93, of St. Marys, Iowa, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 p.m., Friday, February 28 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 27 at St. Marys Hall. A Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., prior to visitation. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Pink Tractor Foundation or St. Marys Fire Department in Don's memory.