Donald Hesse

Donald "Donnie" Carlyle Hesse, 83, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, July 27, 2023, after battling cancer.

He was the youngest of four, born Aug. 30, 1939, in St. Louis to the late Albert and Alice Teague Hesse. In 1957, he married Carol Marie Simon, and they had four children.

Donnie made a living as a stone worker, bricklayer and truck driver. He was transferred to the Southeast Missouri region in the early 1980s and then retired from Roadway Transportation with numerous safety awards.

Called Donnie, Frog or Froggie by his friends and family, he was the consummate handyman. He could fix anything, while making plans for his next home improvement project.

His love of motorcycles and friends led him to start a motorcycle club, The Silver Eagles, in the 1970s. Other hobbies throughout his life included boating, pool leagues and tournaments, weekly card games, restoring a 1959 Ford T-bird, coin collecting, dancing, camping, playing softball and hanging out with his friends at the bar.

The past several years, playing pickleball and volunteering for the Senior Center kept him busy. He loved traveling on his trike and had multiple adventurous trips with friends. He enjoyed visits to Panama City Beach, Florida, with best friends Ginny Wanner-Minor, Glenn Dirnberger, Brenda Todt-Hicks and others.

Donnie will be remembered as a terrific dad, grandpa, uncle, friend and neighbor. A gentle demeanor with a silly wit, he will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Carol Hesse; parents; sister, Josephine Hesse; and brother, Roger Hesse.

Donnie is survived by his children, Donna (Rob) Sumner, Phillip (Chris) Hesse, Laurie Hesse and Shannon (Corey) McNew; grandchildren, Alison Sumner, Katie Sumner, Susie Carter, Robby Sumner, P.J. Sumner, Jessica Carroll, Amanda Hesse, Beth Broyles, Connor McNew, Christian McNew and Molly McNew; 17 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; brother, Albert James Hesse; sister-in-law, Patricia Hesse; aunt, Francis Bohnert; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and his loving companion, Ginny Wanner-Minor.

Special thanks and gratitude to his loving companion for the past four years and friend of 64 years, Ginny Wanner-Miner, and friend Glenn Dirnberger for their outstanding care and compassion during his sickness.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m., with a prayer service starting at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 1001 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

A celebration of life will immediately follow the service at VFW Post No. 3838, 1049 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandlileyfuneralhome.com.