Donald Eugene VanDonge, 79, of Topeka, KS, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS. He was born October 11, 1946 in Soldier, KS, 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, V.F.W Post 400 and an Elvis Impersonator. 
Don married Shirley A. Pfeifer, they later divorced after 25 years. He married Eva (Roy) Dean on November 2, 2013, she survives of the home.         
Survivors include his children, Michelle Horst (Vince) of Overland Park, KS, Kim VanDonge of Topeka, KS, Melissa Gallegos (fiancé, William Montgomery) of Topeka, KS, Kristin Lockhart (Jason) of Perry, KS and Kurtis VanDonge (Andie) of Topeka, KS; step-son, Chris Dean of Shawnee, KS; sister, Delores Beam of Circleville, KS; brother, Danny VanDonge (Shirley) of Havensville, KS; 2 step-brothers; 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.         
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Donna VanDonge; 2 sisters, Daisy Howe and Dianna Wilson; brother, Dennis VanDonge; 1 step-brother, and grandson, Seth Carney.         
Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Soldier Cemetery. Don will lie in state Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Family will greet friends 2 hours prior to service time from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be given to Mercer Funeral Home to help with expenses or SUDC Research sent c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.