Damon A. Van Syoc, age 37 of Newton, passed away suddenly on Thursday, December 14, 2023. A visitation for Damon will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City. There will be a short prayer service immediately following. Memorials may be directed to his Niece Aurelia and can be sent via venmo at https://venmo.com/u/Elizabeth-Watson-143. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Damon was born in Des Moines on November 24, 1986 and grew up in Prairie City. When he was 5 he welcomed a little sister. He loved his little sister Krystyn, until she started talking. Then he asked his mom if she could take her back. But Damon was always there for Krys. He could pick on her but no one else better even try. Damon graduated from PCM High School in 2005. He had many close lifelong friends that stirred up their fair amount of... information to be disclosed once the statute of limitations has expired. Damon was big into shooting and being outside. He loved being with friends around a large bonfire drinking beer. He was a horror movie efficinato. He believed in the motto "work hard, play harder." Damon was known as the protector of his family and friends who were his entire world.

Those left to honor his memory include his mother, Milissa (Brent Dykema) Group; sister, Krystyn Schiller; grandpa, Ron Schiller, Sr.; niece, Aurelia Retzlaff, step-niece Payton Retzlaff, and step-nephew Malachi Brannen; aunts, Pam (Randy Holt) Group and Elizabeth (Brian) Watson; Uncle, Ron Schiller, Jr; cousins, Jackson Holt and Jay Watson; his partners in crime; Eli (Emily) Berry, Jeff (Amber) Jones, and Cody Wright and their families. Preceding Damon in death were his grandparents, Jay and Maxine Group, father Randal Schiller, grandma Cheryl Schiller and a close friend, Wes Wright.