Donald Carson Weldon

Donald Ray Carson, 92, of Weldon died Aug. 17, 2015, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola.

Graveside services were held at Garden Grove Cemetery, Aug. 20 with The Rev. Mike Albert officiating. Interment followed at the cemetery in Garden Grove. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com.

Donald Ray Carson, son of Frank Carson and Margaret  Elizabeth (Porterfield) Carson, was born Aug. 6, 1923, on the family farm north of Woodburn.

Don was with the Army Engineers in Korea the fall of 1946 and the summer of 1947.  After his tour of duty, he returned to the farm.

On Jan. 1, 1955, Don married Frances Leone Smith at Van Wert. They made their home on a farm north of Ottawa for eight years.  During these years, Don was employed at the Osceola Greenhouse.  In April of 1962, he started his own floral shop in Leon, which he operated for 20 years. After he sold the shop, they retired to their home in Weldon.
 
Don stayed involved with the dance band "Rhythm Dusters," which was started by his late wife, Frances in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  After her death, Oct. 28, 1986, he kept the band going at her request.

Donald is survived by nephews, John (Karen) Page of Osceola, Merrill (Lou) Thornton of Urbandale, Nelson (MaryAnn) Thornton of Winterset, Mike (Deanna) Carson of Woodburn and Raymond (Vicky) Carson of Chandler, Ariz.; close friend Barbara Williams of Corydon; other relatives and many friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Edith Thornton, Corda Canney and Bernice Page; brother Harold Carson; brothers-in-law, Russell Thornton, Donald Canney and David Page and niece Leah Canney Cook.