Don VanDonge 1946-2026
Donald Eugene VanDonge, 79, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence.
He was born Oct. 11, 1946, in Soldier, the son of Donald J. and Donna Gladys (Davis) VanDonge.
Don graduated from Soldier High School in 1964. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a “Jack Of All Trades.” Don was an insurance agent, real estate agent and self-employed landlord.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW Post 400 and an Elvis impersonator.
Don married Shirley A. Pfeifer; they later divorced after 25 years. He married Eva (Roy) Dean on Nov. 2, 2013; she survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children, Michelle Horst (Vince) of Overland Park, Kim VanDonge of Topeka, Melissa Gallegos (fiancé, William Montgomery) of Topeka, Kristin Lockhart (Jason) of Perry and Kurtis VanDonge (Andie) of Topeka; a stepson, Chris Dean of Shawnee; a sister, Delores Beam of Circleville; a brother, Danny VanDonge (Shirley) of Havensville; two stepbrothers; 27 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Donna VanDonge; two sisters, Daisy Howe and Dianna Wilson; a brother, Dennis VanDonge; a stepbrother; and a grandson, Seth Carney.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow at the Soldier Cemetery. Don will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Family will greet friends two hours prior to service time, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Memorials may be given to Mercer Funeral Home to help with expenses or SUDC Research, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
