Donald Westendorf

Donald P. Westendorf, Jr., 59, of Maynard, Iowa, died Thursday morning, November 18, 2021, at his home with loving family by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burialwas held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette. Visitationwas from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, November 22, 2021, at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard and for one hour before the service at the church. Interment was in the Long Grove Cemetery in Maynard.

Memorialsmay be directed in his name to the Maynard Fire Department. Online obituary can be found at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and masks are suggested at the visitation, masks are required at the church.

Donald Paul Westendorf, Jr. was born on April 28, 1962, in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Donald Paul, Sr. and Bonnie Jean (Leehey) Westendorf. In 1980, he graduated from Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California.  On August 9, 1980, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Garcia. Four children were born, and one daughter was adopted to this union.  Don enjoyed camping with his family, playing board games with his kids, fishing with his grandkids, golfing and was a master of grilling his special spicy chicken recipe will live on.  

Don achieved the rank of Eagle Scout which inspired him to become both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader as well as a Fire Explorer Leader. He was very proud of his three sons and several other Maynard Boy Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Don was very proud to be a 28-year member of the Maynard Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a Captain and then as Fire Chief for 14 years. He enjoyed the brotherhood in service and participating in the Fire Drill Competitions at the State Firefighter Conventions. 

Don loved getting his hands dirty by working on vehicles. Over the years, Don worked as an auto technician for Bernie Wick’s Chevron, Corral Ford, in California, Jensen Ford and Bill Colwell Ford in Iowa. Since February of 1997, he had owned and operated Maynard Auto Service in Maynard, Iowa.  Don had been involved with the Maynard Little League as a Director and Coach for several years.  He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Fayette, where he had served on the Church Council. Because four of his children are graduates of Iowa State University, Don became an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and was also a lifelong San Diego Padre fan.  He loved his family and friends dearly.

Don is survived by his wife:  Sylvia Westendorf of Maynard, Iowa; five children: Donald, III (Kelli) Westendorf of Urbana, Iowa, Michael Westendorf (Laura Centeno-Diaz) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Bradley (Jennifer) Westendorf of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brittany (Khayree) Duckett of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Joanna Westendorf, at home, in Maynard, Iowa; six grandchildren:  Donald, IV, Lilian, Amelia, Oliver, Peyton, and Chloe; mother:  Bonnie Westendorf of Oelwein, Iowa; sister:  Michelle (Eric) Syverson of Escondido, California; nephew: Anthony Westendorf of San Diego, California; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father:  Donald Westendorf, Sr.; and his maternal grandparents:  Joseph and Anna Mae Leehey; and his paternal grandparents:  Paul and Lois Westendorf.