Donald (Don) L. Venable, 86, Devoted Husband, Father, Pawpy, Great Grandpa were his titles. Don was born March 28^th 1937 to Vernon and Gladys Venable and raised in St Louis, Missouri. His zest for life was contagious and extreme.

Don graduated Maplewood High school in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart Sunny Essmann on June, 8th 1957. Don and Sunny had a lifetime of adventures over their 68-year relationship. They started their married life living in Coronado, California while Don was in the Navy.  After that, they bought their first home back in Maplewood, Missouri. Then they lived in Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arkansas, and then settled back in Springfield, Missouri.

Don enjoyed 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. His greatest love was spending time with them any chance he had. Don loved travel and the outdoors. One of his passions was motor homing. He often took those grandchildren Glamping.  Don and Sunny traveled across North America numerous times during their retirement.

Don and Sunny started several puppet ministries at the churches they attended. They started the one at Schweitzer UMC in 1980 and traveled on summer tours with 8-15 teenagers.  They share a message to churches across the country via puppets.

Don was an executive at PPG Industries in the Automotive coatings division. He traveled the world with PPG and retired after 28 years of service. Before that Don was a proud veteran of the Navy where he was in the Navy Jazz Band as a Drummer. Don was able to play behind big stars while they entertained the troops all over the world.

Don and Sunny were also the owners and operators of Mom’s Ice Cream Parlor in Springfield Missouri. They were also the founders of Ozark Mountain Popcorn in Ozark, Missouri.

Don and Sunny were together for 68 years. They each found their soulmates in life. This was an epic love story that taught those around them how to love long and passionately. He will be incredibly missed by anyone that encountered him.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Gladys Venable, his father Vernon Venable, his beloved wife Sunny Venable, son Tim Venable and son in law Don Shone.

Don was survived by daughter Pam Shone, son Russ Venable (Melissa), grandchildren Dane Shone (Amanda), Tessa Shone (Cody), Kylie Gallegos (Daniel), Jesika Clem (Caleb), Victoria Venable (Jonathan) and Jacob Venable (Maddie), great grandchildren, Samuel Shone, Riley Shone, Parker Gallegos, Paxton Gallegos, Evan Clem, Tripp Spruill and Hudson Lawler.

Also, the family wishes to express gratitude to Don’s caregivers. Pelagie Mbua and Sarah Stevens.

Pelagie lived at Don’s home for the last 2 years, truly caring for Don and Yadi (his dog). Sometimes this was easier said than done.

Sarah Stevens who was Don’s caregiver and friend for 15 years. Sarah and Don had highly competitive card games that lasted for hours. We appreciate and love both of these caring women.

In Lieu of Flowers the family prefers donations be made in Don Venable’s Honor to the Rogersville Fire department.

Arrangments are entrusted with Greenlawn Funeral Home East.