Don Van Haaften (1958-2021)

VAN HAAFTEN, BORR, BARNES, HOEFT, RITTER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 15:37:17

MUSCATINE-Don Van Haaften, 62, of Muscatine passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at his home after a very long fight with cancer. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church on August 20, 2021 at 11 am. Entombment will be at Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery Community Garden Mausoleum at a later time. Memorials have been established in Don's name for Wesley United Methodist Church and Muscatine Civic Chorale. Correspondence for the family may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com . Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Muscatine is assisting the family with arrangements.

Don Van Haaften was born on November 3,1958, the son of Dean and Marilyn (Borr) Van Haaften. Don was a paper boy for the Des Moines Register from 1973 until 1978. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1977. He then worked for Calvin Community in Des Moines, IA until he moved to Muscatine. At that point he worked for Hy-Vee in Muscatine. He was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church and the Wesley Chancel Choir. He was a participant of the Pearl City Players and the Muscatine Civic Chorale.

His gift and passion was for composing music since he was 15 years old. He had a large number of compositions that were performed by both Choral and instrumental groups. He was mostly self-taught, and was blessed to have had mentors with a variety of experiences helping him along through the process of composing. He was recognized with many newspaper articles during his lifetime celebrating his accomplishments.

Don will be missed by his siblings, Teresa Barnes of Muscatine,IA, Randy(Sue) Van Haaften of Marion,IA, and Gary Van Haaften of Rigby,ID, nieces Dacia (Adam) Hoeft, Chandra (Patrick) Ritter and Amy Van Haaften, many cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; all grandparents, and Aunts and Uncles, on both sides of the family.

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Published by The Muscatine Journal on Aug. 5, 2021.