Donnie "Rocky" Eischeid, 67, of Halbur, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2014, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll. About 10 years ago Donnie was diagnosed with cancer. He died from complications after surgery.

Mass of Christian burial was Monday, July 7, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur, Iowa. The Rev. Steven W. Brodersen was celebrant. Lector and Eucharistic minister was Tom Espenhover. Mass servers were Lexi and Cassidy Branning. Gift bearers were grandchildren Shawna, Trent and Brandi Eischeid. Music was "Here I Am Lord," "Be Not Afraid," "On Eagle's Wings" and "Prayer of St Francis" by St Augustine choir and accompanist Julie Sibbel. Casket bearers were nephews Ryan Eischeid, Matt Eischeid, Chris Hinners, Rodney Hinners, Adam Espenhover and Cory Eischeid.

Burial with military honors by American Legion Ehlers-Gerken Post 394 was at St Augustine Cemetery in Halbur.

Memorials may be made to St Anthony Hospice or St. Augustine Parish. Ohde Twit Funeral Home in Carroll, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Donald Charles, son of George and Helen (Eich) Eischeid, was born March 24, 1947, in Carroll. He grew up with his family on a farm. His father died at age 49, and Donnie took on the role of father to his younger siblings. After the death of his brother Tom, the family moved into Halbur. Donnie graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1965 and entered the U.S. Navy soon after. He was a Seabee during his enlistment and served during the Vietnam War, spending a year in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge in 1969, he returned to the Halbur area.

Don married Jane Espenhover on March 15, 1969, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning. They were the parents of two sons. He worked for Rotert Construction for many years before going into business for himself. After 15 years he retired in 2012.

Donnie, also known as "Rocky," enjoyed playing cards, fishing, gambling and giving people, especially his grandkids, a hard time. He was a 40-year member of the American Legion Ehlers-Gerken Post 694 in Arcadia and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517 in Manning. Donnie was a member of St Augustine Parish in Halbur and spent much of his free time in St. Augustine Cemetery fixing and maintaining monuments. He also made crosses for all the veterans buried there.

Donnie is survived by his wife Jane Eischeid of Halbur; son Brett Eischeid and wife Tina of Carroll and their children Dakota, Josh, Derek and wife Mandy and Corinne and great-grandson Julian; son Brad "Goob" Eischeid and wife Jessie of Halbur and their children Shawna, Brandi and Trent; siblings Shirley Eischeid and friend Kathy Huff, Randy Eischeid and wife DeAnn, Gene Eischeid and wife Donna and Geri Draves and husband Barney; brother-in-law Duane Brant; sister-in-law Diane Eischeid; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.

Preceding Donnie in death were his parents; parents-in-law Joe and Helen Espenhover; sister Diane Brant; and brothers Tom Eischeid and Vernon Eischeid.