Donald H Mackaman
April 20, 1930 to September 17, 2021
Donald H. Mackaman, 91, of Marshalltown, IA passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Suites of Ankeny in Ankeny, IA. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the First Congregational Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2021 at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa State Reserve Law Officer's Association which has awarded the Donald H. Mackaman Outstanding Unit Award annually since 1972. Interment with full military honors will take place at Riverside Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Don was born on April 20, 1930 to Harry and Hannah (Bick) Mackaman in Marshalltown. He attended Marshalltown High School and graduated in 1948. Don was united in marriage to Romaine A. Rockhill of Marshalltown on June 13, 1953 at the First Congregational Church, Marshalltown. They were blessed with four children: Sharon, Lorraine, Carole and Craig. The couple lived in the Marshalltown area until 2017 when they moved to Ankeny.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Don enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Riley, KS. Upon returning to Marshalltown, he continued his service in the Army Reserves obtaining the rank of 1st Sergeant (E8). He served 22 years and retired in 1970. He was a skilled marksman and earned many shooting medals in military and law enforcement competitions.
Don joined the Marshalltown Police Department in 1952. Prior to that, he attended Marshalltown Community College and worked for the Iowa Highway Commision. His first assignment as a patrolman was to assist with maintenance and collections for 750 parking meters. He rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief of Police in 1966. He served in that capacity until retirement in 1988. His first goal as assistant chief was that of recruitment, and he pushed for education in law enforcement. He helped to establish Marshalltown's first police academy in 1968. In the sixties, he organized the Marshalltown Police Reserves which became a unit in the Iowa State Reserves Law Officers Association. At the time of his retirement he said, "I love Marshalltown, the job and the people." His influence was felt for years afterward as two of his children had long careers in criminal justice. Once retired, he and Romaine enjoyed being snowbirds in Florida for many years.
In addition to his career in law enforcement, Don was a determined, hard-working entrepreneur. He was committed to the value of higher education. He and Romaine fully supported the college educations of his four children, as well as providing financial support for each of his six grandchildren. Several years after starting their family, he encouraged Romaine to complete her college degree at Drake University.
Instructed by his father, a band director and professional clarinetist, Don learned to play the clarinet at a young age. He grew up playing in his father's dance bands, performing at the local VFW and American Legion halls on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Sunday mornings he played in church. He was a member of the Marshalltown Municipal Band where he met Romaine who played the bass clarinet. While in the Army at Fort Riley, KS, the commanding officer personally assigned him to the officers' dance band. Don encouraged all of his children to learn to play musical instruments and was proud of their dedication and accomplishments.
His interest in Iowa agriculture led him to acquire farmland in the area. He experimented with raising livestock for a short time but mostly left the farming to experienced and trusted farmers, who later became good friends. He kept up with the financial markets and was always ready to talk about stocks. Don was an avid sportsman who enjoyed duck hunting with his father while growing up, and continued deer and turkey hunting with his friends and son, Craig into his later years. An Alaskan fishing trip in which he and Craig brought home their limit of silver salmon was a highlight for both. More recently he enjoyed riding along with Craig and Rocky the Vizsla on pheasant hunts. He enjoyed following the sporting events of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He even attended high school tennis matches in Ankeny last spring. Don was a member of the First Congregational Church, the Frank Lewis Glick American Legion Post 46 and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 68 years, Romaine, and his four children: Sharon (Phillip) Riskin of Palatine, IL, Lorraine Gilkison of Irving, TX, Carole (Frederick) Coleman of Euless, TX, and Craig (Deborah) Mackaman of Ankeny. He will be missed by his six grandchildren: Stephanie (Nicholas) Riskin Watson, Robert (Michelle) Riskin, Austin (Patricia) Coleman, Mason Mackaman, Luke Mackaman and Nicholas Mackaman; his six great-grandchildren: Doyle, Ryland, Brynn, and Kinley Watson; Lorelei and Cadence Riskin; niece Brenda (Don) Taylor, and Craig's hunting dog Rocky. Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Rockhill) and David Kruse, and niece, Karla Kruse.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Suites of Ankeny for their professionalism and kindness these last four years.
