David J. Dayton

KALONA ? David James Dayton, 77, of Richmond, died Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at his home.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 11, at the Shiloh Church in Kalona with the Rev. Chuck Rogness and the Rev. Ron Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund to be directed to the family has been established.

Mr. Dayton was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Washington, the son of Jessie and Alta (Ledman) Dayton. He married Mary Nisly on April 15, 1971, at the Christian Tabernacle in Washington.

He graduated from Kalona High School in 1957 and served his country in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965. He was stationed in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. He worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital for 25 years. He was a member of the Shiloh Church and was an avid supporter of Mid-Prairie and Hawkeye athletics. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball in his young years, and loved listening to rock ?n? roll music, including his favorites: Elvis, Ted Nugent and Pat Benatar.

Surviving are four children, Michelle Mingo and husband Chris of Bloomington, Minnesota, Mark Dayton and wife Cindi of Astoria, New York, John Dayton and wife Shawna of Conroy, and Lonnie Dayton of North Liberty; eight grandchildren; one brother, Don Dayton and wife Ethel of Washington; and one sister-in-law, Gladys Dayton of Kalona.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, in 2013; and four siblings, Pat, Mike, John, and Bernice.