Donald Littleton

Donald "Duane" Littleton, 81, was born June 11, 1929, the son of William Hobart and Beatrice J. (Atkinson) Littleton in Elliott, Iowa, and passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

Duane lived in Elliott until the age of 14 when the family moved to Anita, Iowa, where he attended high school. He served in active duty in the United States Army from 1951 - 1953 receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Anita and in 1953 married Bonnie Lou Christensen at the United Methodist Church. For 38 years he worked as a truck driver for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Duane was a member of the Anita Fire Department for 20 years, serving as Fire Chief for 8 years, and a member of the American Legion, serving as Commander of the VFW. He was also a member of the Church of Christ in Anita.

Duane enjoyed fishing as well as having coffee with friends at the Weather Vane Café in Anita, where he was considered a permanent fixture. Most importantly of all was his love for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Anita, Iowa; his children, Kevin (Sandi) Littleton of Des Moines, IA, Rebecca Ray of Anita, IA, Delbert (Jodi) of Atlantic, IA, and Darren (Jean) Littleton of Council Bluffs, IA; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Jane Bailey of Bellevue, NE; his brothers-in-law, Guy Smith of Wiota, IA, and Gary (Janice) Christensen of Anita, IA; sisters-in-law, LaDonna (Gene) Andrews of Anita, IA and LaVeda Pine of Anita, IA; his cat, Missy; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beatrice Littleton; his brothers, Lee Littleton and Cecil (Ruby) Littleton; his brothers-in-law, Jack Bailey, Delbert (Edna) Christensen, Merlyn (Marcella) Christensen and Harold Pine; his sister-in-law, Judith Smith; and his nieces, Jean Marie Creekmore, Shirley Billinger and Katrina Christensen.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2010, at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010, also at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita.

Burial of cremated remains will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita is in charge of arrangements.