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Don Keith Black was born March 26, 1940, in Marengo, Iowa, to Clyde and Jeannette (Bavis) Black. He was raised on a farm in Iowa County near Conroy, Iowa. Don passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Park Centre in hospice care at the age of 84.
Don graduated from Conroy High School in 1958 and went on to Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, where he earned a B.A. In 1962, he was married to Sharon Blaker at the United Methodist Church in Fayette. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Jennifer (Scott) Livermore of Muscatine and Diane (Brian) Sloan of Kearney, Missouri. Also surviving are five grandchildren—Jordyn Livermore (Dustin Burkett), Taylor Livermore (Blaine Rexroth), Jackson Livermore (Reagan Caffery), Grant (Erin) Sloan, and Vaughn Sloan. Also surviving are a sister, Sue (David) Bengford, and a brother, Gary (Rose) Black, as well as a sister-in-law, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don was proud of his 40-year career in education with teaching and coaching at Fayette for four years, teaching and administration at Benton Community for 12 years, and his last 24 years were serving as the elementary principal at Berg Elementary School in Newton, Iowa. He was a member of the IAESP, where he had served as president for a year, a member of SUVCW, a member of JCRSPA, where he served as president for a year, and he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newton where he served as an elder and enjoyed attending a men’s group for several years. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed researching and documenting family genealogy.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. A visitation and time of refreshments will be held from 12:30-2 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorials to Newton Dollars for Scholars or Wesley Life Hospice can be left at the church on the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.