Mary Joan (Eaton) Dingman

Mary Joan (Eaton) Dingman, 90, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2026.

Mary was born on December 12, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Henry and Katheryn (Hammond) Hines. After Henry's passing, her mother married Earl Williams, whom Mary lovingly considered her father. She graduated from East High School in 1954.

Mary embraced every opportunity that came her way and enjoyed a wide variety of careers throughout her life. She worked at Spiegel Department Store in downtown Des Moines, sold Avon products, served as a lunch lady for the Des Moines School District, and later worked in title transfers for the Des Moines Auto Auction. Alongside her first husband, Andy, she co-owned and operated Kars-R-Us, a used car dealership in Des Moines. After selling the business, the couple operated a gas station in Elkhart. Mary later worked as a cashier for Hostess Bakery in Ankeny before retiring from UPS. Retirement didn't slow her down, however, as she enjoyed working in the office at the Adventureland Campground.

Above all, Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished time with her family and found joy in sewing, searching for treasures at garage sales, enjoying ice cream, and traveling the country in her RV.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her husband of 20 years, Donald Dingman; her children, Andy (Cathy) Eaton, Charlie (Guadalupe) Eaton, and Janellie (Ray) Gathercole; her grandchildren, Shannon (Thomas) Morgan, Brett Brown, Shadoe Gathercole, and Mariah (Devon) McAnally; her great-grandchildren, Llana Brenizer, Andy Brown, Quentin Curtis, and Viola Morgan; as well as many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband of 48 years, Andrew Eaton; her parents, Katheryn (Hammond) Williams and Earl Williams; her son, Bill Eaton; her sister, Pat Johnson; her brother-in-law, Alber Johnson; and her grandsons, Rick Byrkett and Mikey Eaton.

Mary will be laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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