Andrews Funeral Home

Bancroft, 84 of Belmond, IA, died, Monday, April, 29, 2019, at Mercy One Medical Center-Mason City, IA.Funeral service will be 2 PM, Friday, May 3, 2019, at Belmond Veteran’s Center, 240 East Main St. Belmond,  Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.Public visitation will be from 1230-2 PM at the Veterans Center, Friday and will continue for a time during the reception and fellowship following the service.Memorial suggestions include the Belmond Historical Society, Jenison-Meacham Museum/Power Show, or to the donor’s choice.Donald Edward Bancroft, was born to Edith M. (Wissenburg) and Cecil J. Bancroft at Sac City, IA, on August 31, 1934 at 10:15 PM.  In high school he worked at the Sac City upholstery shop, owned by his father.  Don also worked for his uncle doing construction work.  Around this time Don’s life-long interest in photography began.  Don photographed accident scenes for the police, and would expedite developing the film and making prints.  Around this time Don taught photography at the same night school where his father Cecil also taught the upholstery trade.Don graduated from High School in Sac City in 1952.  He then worked for L& M electronics in Sac City constructing and installing one of the first cable television systems in the United States.In 1953, Don left for Oregon to work for the State Board of Forestry surveying bark beetles and spruce bud worms.Don returned to Sac City in 1954 and began employment at the Sac City Canning Company as head of the labeling operation.  By 1955, Don moved to Belmond, IA, to work for the Department of Public Safety Communications Division.  He was stationed at the Iowa Police Radio building and tower south of Goodell, IA.  On February 3, 1959, while at work he called the ambulance for the plane crash near Clear lake, IA, where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and ” The Big Bopper” perished.  Don took on a second job publishing The Reminder with seven other partner...