Donald E. Gaskill, 77, of Meriden passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at St. Luke's Unity Point in Sioux City.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery at Cherokee. Military rites were performed by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Don was born on May 24, 1949, at Casey, to Kenneth and Esther (Swanson) Gaskill. He graduated from Meriden-Cleghorn High School in 1968. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam. He was united in marriage on Sept. 4, 1971, to Joan Pitts at Mary Hill Catholic Church.
Don worked for Hy-Vee Distribution Center for 32 years as a truck driver before retiring in 2001.
He was a proud volunteer fireman for 36 years and faithful supporter of the Meriden Fire Department. He served as assistant chief and always loved attending the fire conventions every year. He was a member of the V.F.W. and Cherokee American Legion.
When the kids were young, Don enjoyed camping with the family. He also loved supporting his son, Mark, racing at local dirt tracks. Don's grandkids were his world. He loved following them with their many activities.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Esther Gaskill; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Alice Pitts; brothers, Russell (Karen) Gaskill and Kenneth Gaskill; niece Heather Hantsbarger; nephews, Jeff Gaskill and Steve Snyder; brothers-in-law: Ron Snyder, Lloyd (Marilyn) Arhart, Elvin Schimmer, Larry Galvin and Larry Pitts.
Don will lovingly be remembered by his wife Joan of Meriden; children: Missy and Brian Shea of Meriden; and Mark and Wendy Gaskill of Remsen; grandchildren: Lauren and Payton Stephens of Shenandoah; Allie Shea of Omaha, Neb.; and Brody Gaskill of Remsen; sisters: Esther Snyder of Indianola; Jan Schimmer of Galva; and Melba Smith of Ellsworth, Wis.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Pat (Linda) Tracey of Remsen; Carolyn (Robert) Henke of Cleghorn; Don (Carol) Pitts of Cherokee; Jerry (Joanne) Pitts of Fontanelle; Sharon Galvin of Sutherland; Tim Pitts of Cherokee; Tom Pitts of Cleghorn; Barb (Danny) Steward of Cleghorn; also numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
