Donald G Lyon

Donald Gordon Lyon was born May 16, 1932, in Denison, Iowa. The fourth of five children, Don was close to his sister, Marilyn, who was only two years younger. He always said Marilyn was his biggest ally as well as his greatest rival. His brothers were quite a bit older, and he really looked up to them as his mentors, especially his brother, Warren. Raised on a small dairy farm, Don enjoyed 4-H and the vo-ag courses he took in high school. He graduated from Denison High School in the spring of 1950, and looked forward to starting classes at Iowa State in the fall. His plan was to become a high school vocational agriculture teacher.
But life had other plans for him, because 1950 was also the year the Korean War broke out. Brother Warren encouraged him to steer away from agriculture, and toward more science, so that if he was drafted into the military, having a science background would work in his favor. He signed up for a chemistry technology class where he met some pre-veterinary students, and decided that veterinary medicine would be a good major to follow.
Don graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1956 and worked for another veterinarian in Clarence, Iowa for two years. Even though the Korean War had ended, the military draft was still in effect, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in 1958, where he was eventually stationed outside of Paris, France. While there, he met Jean Monnik. They were married April 9, 1960, in the American Church in Paris. After Don was discharged from the army, they ultimately ended up moving to Lime Springs in July of 1961, which Don has called "home," ever since. He worked for the USDA from 1983 until 2001, but then hung out his veterinary shingle once again, until he officially retired in August of 2025.
After Jean died in August of 2011, Don was given a second chance at love when he married Joyce Koster in June of 2017. She remained his steadfast companion from then on.
The one note that has carried through Don's entire life has been his love of music. It has always been his hobby, his passion, and his peace. His delight in all types of music shows in the diverse singing groups to which he belonged. In college, he was a member of the Iowa State Singers. During his army years, he sang with the Manhattan Oratory Society, who were given the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall. Locally, he sang with The Springs of Living Water, a gospel group; the Forty Milers, a barbershop quartet; and with other groups, such as the State Line Chorus; the Root River Revelers; and the Bluff Country Singers. This doesn't even begin to include his participation in other singing groups, various church choirs, and the musical plays in which he performed.
Don died at home on December 11, 2025. He is survived in life and love by his wife, Joyce, and by his children, David (Veronica) Lyon, Bruce (Christine) Lyon, and Carolyn (Westan) Lyon James. His love extended to his stepchildren as well; Scott (Wendy Miller) Koster, and Tracey (Jayson) Koster Smith. His story lives on through his grandchildren and step-grandchildren; Michael (Jody) Lyon, Nicholas Lyon, Marissa (Peter) Glodosky, Jessica Lyon, Tristan (Kenzie) James, Morgan James, Taliesyn James, Colton (Nataly) Koster, Hailey (JJ) Fenske, Michelle Schwerdtfeger, Krista Hendley, and Jean Braam. And the legacy continues with his great grandchildren and great step-grandchildren: William James, Isla James, Hazel Koster, Aubrey Fenske, Michelle Schwerdtfeger, Krista Hedley, and Jean Braam. HIs life, his love, and his memory run through us all.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 3, 2026, at the Lime Springs United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the church. Schmelzer Funeral Home is handling arrangements.