Milton Vaughan

Milton Davis Vaughan was born on November 3, 1945 to Clarence “Buss” and Orpha Lavonne Vaughan and was greeted by a blended family of six siblings. He died peacefully at home with the comfort and compassion of family, friends and Suncrest Hospice on December 24, 2022.

Milt graduated from Orient High School in 1963. He married Karen Asher in 1969 and took her son, Bryan, as his own. A daughter, Kathy, was born to that union. They were later divorced.

In 1987, he married Donna Henry at the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset. He was a devoted husband and often told Donna, "He not only loved her – he also respected her." He supported her in whatever endeavors she sought. In this union, he took on two stepdaughters, Becky and Christy. Milt adopted them into his heart and treated them as his very own.

Milt worked at several places during his adult life, including Elliott Saw Mill, Iowa Concrete, Straight Engineering, and the Sioux City Brick and Tile in Adel as a maintenance mechanic until retirement.

Milt had a great passion for reading and collecting books on the World Wars and Free Mason Literature. He also collected sleepy reclining dog figurines. He became friends with any dog he ever met or owned, including Winston Churchill, his beloved English Bulldog. Upon learning of his health situation, he contacted a young man he had met who had a great interest in military history and treasures. He passed those on to him. He also gave a huge collection of Masonic Lodge books to the Winterset Masonic Lodge for their posterity.

He was an active member of the Madison County Sportsman Club where he enjoyed maintaining the grounds. One of the club officers wrote – “Milt was one the good guys and will be missed. He did projects and never wanted any recognition for his work. I know he probably spent more time out there than any member." He was also a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge and served as Worshipful Master in Earlham and Winterset.

Milt gave his life over to a power greater than himself and accomplished 41 years of sobriety. Milt and Donna were married on his sixth sobriety anniversary.

Those who went before him were his parents; sisters, Annabelle Plagman, Nina Vaughan, and Pat Morris; one brother, John Vaughan; a baby sister, Sarah; and stepdaughter, Becky Henry.

Those surviving and celebrating a life well lived are his wife, Donna; son, Bryan (Nikki) Vaughan; daughter, Kathy (Derrin) Day; stepdaughter, Christy Henry; half-sisters, Barbara Zellweger and Donna Evans; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, many friends, members of the Winterset Sportsman Club and his brothers of the Winterset Masonic Lodge.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel. Family will greet friends one hour prior from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Winterset Masonic Lodge.