Davenport in Scott County
Caleb Donathan “Don” Jeys, Sr., 64, was shot once in the head at close range with a .32- or .38-caliber handgun late on Friday, February 18, 1972, at his Davenport, Iowa home.
Davenport police said Jeys’ apartment had been ransacked and that a large amount of cash — which Jeys had set aside for the purchase of a new van — was missing.
Caleb Donathan Jeys, Sr., was born September 29, 1907 in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, to Lena Mae Cumpston and Joseph Elnathan Jeys. He had eleven siblings that included three brothers: George Otey Jeys, Joseph LeRoy Jeys, and Byron Dale Jeys; and five sisters: Mary R. Jeys Wood, Lena Marguerite Jeys, Alice Harriett Jeys Bock, Jennie Irene Jeys, and Etta Lou Jeys Keele.
In 1925, Don married Vera Lavella Eastwood and they had three children: Caleb “Donn” Donathan Jeys, Jr., Robert Dale Jeys, and Rose Marie Jeys Mayo.
Don worked in management with the L.B. Price Mercantile Company before serving with the United States Navy during World War II. When he returned after the war in 1946, Don married Romelle Foster Ohl and resumed his job with L.B. Price, where he worked up until his murder.
Courtesy photo dvrice, findagrave.comMemorial services were held at a Davenport Catholic church with burial at the Rock Island National Cemetery.
If you have any information regarding Don Jeys’ unsolved murder please contact the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-7979.
I am wondering about siblings; the article states he had 11 siblings, yet only identifies 8. Also, all the links only repeat the same information found in this article.