Donald Eugene Kirchmer

Donald E. Kirchmer, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in his home in Newton, Kansas. He was born on December 2, 1935, in Sedgwick, Kansas, the sixth child of Carl and Pearl (Butler) Kirchmer.

A husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Don was loved by his family and community. He is survived by his children, Kimberly (Newton) and Jason (Kim) Kirchmer (Wichita), and his grandchildren Aiden and Baily Kirchmer, Kayleigh, Kenna, and Jackson Dinsdale. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Kirchmer, as well as his parents and siblings.

Don was a straightforward man who valued hard work, known for his commitment to getting the job done. He spent his career as a carpenter, working on bridges and buildings for Santa Fe and later BNSF, retiring from the railroad in 1997. Even after his regular workday, Don could often be found moonlighting or taking on side projects. Many friends in Dodge City fondly remember him donning a red suit as the Mall Santa at Village Square for ten years.

After enjoying a decade of retirement, Don returned to work with Harvey County, where he drove the Interurban Bus for ten years. Known for his charm and charisma, he took great pleasure in assisting his passengers, whether it was helping them on and off the bus or taking them to appointments and on field trips.

Don was also an avid traveler and took great pride in having embarked on 30 cruises throughout his life, along with several train trips on Amtrak to visit Carol’s family in California. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion and could often be found socializing at the Newton and Sedgwick senior centers, where he shared stories and good times with friends.

Don had a fun sense of humor, often saying he only liked two kinds of pie: hot or cold. The family will honor his life with a gathering on August 30, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Station 50, 400 E 8th St, in Newton, featuring plenty of pie. Burial will be held at Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Dodge on September 3, 2024 at 11:00 am in Fort Dodge, Kansas. Military Honors will be presented by Kansas Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors, and the gun salute will be presented by the Southwest Kansas Veterans Funeral Honor Guard. 

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Blake Blair with Comfort Keepers Home Care, Erica and Kylee with Faith Home, Health, and Hospice, for their service, and to the Wednesday Night Queenstribe for their unwavering love and support.