Donald Valandingham Obituary

Today is your favorite holiday! For as long as I can remember you loved the fireworks. You never grew out of it. In fact, it got worse the older you got. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I miss you so very much. You are always tucked away in my heart. Love you, Sis

Duner,

Thought about you today... Just want you to know that you are still missed and thought of all the time. Can't help but think about how too quickly you left us all. Still wished I came in that day I dropped Joey off to say hello like I always do, but life got in the way. At the time it just seemed I was too busy to take out the few minutes, I truly do regret not seeing you just one last time. Please continue to look down on the kids, and continue to guide them on their way... know that you still are and always be in our hearts and in our thoughts.

Miss you! Love you!

Miss you!

I miss you!,

Thanksgiving! I wonder if mom will make reviled eggs or will you just have them with Jesus! Love you and miss you so much.

Another Christmas for you with Jesus! We miss you so much. Love you. Your Sis

FYI for all looking for updates on the legacy site the site has had some gliches. I am working on them

Duner,
We made it through another year with out you here. Not without alot of bumps in the road. It seems like yesterday I was at the hospital with you. Everyone is doing well. We all just love and miss you so much. Love,Sis

Duner,
If love could of saved you, you'd of lived forever. R.I.P. my friend until we meet again.
Love, Kelly

Hey Duner

Thinking of you and hope your'e getting ready to watch the Bears game I think we might need a lil help this season!!! MISS YA CUZ

DUKE, may your time and eternity spent in HEAVEN be as memorable as it was here on Earth! tell all loved-ones up there to keep on keeping on. HAVE FUN BRO!!!

this site is really nice...i love the photos & reading all of the kind words & loving sentiments. i remember when duner would get mad as a child...he'd stomp his feet & march around with lips tight...so determined...so cute. i think of you all often & know the pain of that unexpected sudden loss....

Hey Duke,just got rained out from work,i saw a trans am and thought about ya,and how we both loved them cars,made me laugh a little bit,i still love em and trying to find one to restore now actually...we had some good times,alotta laughin..You'd be real proud of your family Dooner..miss ya buddy

Happy Fathers Day My Angel.. Love & miss you always.
Heather

I miss you so much! Life is is just not the same with out you Duner. i take comfort that someday i will see you again. I love you, Sis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNER I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND DONNA IS ALWAYS KEEPING US UP TO DATE ON THE PROGRESS OF YOUR CHILDREN THEY ARE LOVE AND BLESSED YOU WOULD BE PROUD I MISS YOU TODAY CUZ AND EVERY DAY IN BETWEEN LOVE YOU

Happy 42nd Birthday Daddy... Love and Miss you.
You are gone, but you will Never be forgotten..

Love ur baby girl

I will never say goodbye to you my Father
cause I know this is not the end for us to see each other.
You will only be going to a place where there’s no pain nor suffering.
I am happy for you, for you will be with God.
For now we need to go in separate ways.
I remember how your arms hold me and give me strength.
You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything.
You were my very best friend.
In my triumphs you were always proud.
I’m very grateful and proud to call you my dad.
Here deep inside my heart you’ll always be.
I would give up everything I have just to hug you one more time.
I remember the last time I hold you’re hand and how you looked at me in the eyes.
If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go.
I felt the world stops and my heart stop beating when they told me you’re gone…….
How I wish I was only dreaming.
Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes, I couldn’t speak for a while.
Thank you Dad….
For always understanding, listening , caring, and loving me for the rest of your life.
The greatest gift God gave me was YOU…….. my Dad…
It’s difficult to let you go but I must…
I must return the gift God gave me…
Till then;
See you in Heaven………

Hi dad i miss u.. love u

DUKE,
Well i haven't talked to you in a while, but let me just remind you that i am still here at any time for your baby girl. Heather updates me each and every time she finds out anything new about the family, about you, or anything she has to say. So, I wanted to let you know that I get my college diploma in December, but I am walking across the stage before I student teach which will be May 15th. I heard all about the balloons for your birthday...I hope you enjoyed them. I miss you duke and I constantly think about you! Love you tons, Stefmister!

Miss you and love you Duner!

Happy Birthday Uncle Duner I hope you got our balloons, wish I coulda been there. I think about you each and everyday. I love you

happy birthday daddyI miss you so very much.joey

Happy Birthday too you today daddy, wish i could be at ur grave. but u know i love n miss you, stay with me today

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
I thought of you yesterday, and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, yet I often speak your name.
All I have now are our memories, and your picture in this frame.
God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.
Miss you very much...
Your baby Joey and Kelly

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes your treasure.

Every new day is a new challenge. Sometimes a little less, most of the time a little more. You'd be so proud of your mom Duner. She's doing such a great job with the boys and the house. I have no clue how she does it at all, let alone how wonderful. You'd love your house. It's just gorgeous!! You'd be so proud, like you always have of her. Joey is looking more and more like you everyday. What a blessing to us all. We got a few little Dukes here. Please continue to look over us all, comfort us, and hold our hands through this life. We need you. I miss you. Joe misses you. So very much.
Kelly

hey

hey cuz,

I think of you alot i really miss you watch over me from time to time i love you

Hello Father,
Everyday is getting harder & harder for me to get through each & everyday. I miss not being able to tell you all my new & latest news. I love the car you bought me. I picked it out all alone, i wish you were the one there with me, but inside i know you were there. Everyday i think about you & ways that we could have tried to save you. But then i look back n remember it probably was time for god to take you from us considering how you probaly used all 9 lives. Member all those accidents you had & everything.. Well I miss you more & more everyday, & finally things are hitting me and this is all becoming clear to me that you really are not here anymore.. & It is horrible. I just dont understand But I love you, More than anyone in the world.
Love Always & Forever,
Your #1,
Heather

Hey Uncle Duney,
I miss you very much and I still think about you everyday. I am gona miss seeing you on Christmas eve, counting all the presents to see who has the most and throwing them across the room to evryone as we pull them out from under the tree. Good times. It won't be the same without you. I miss you more and more each day but I know you will be there with us on Christmas. Love u.

Duke...I miss you soo much and I try not to cry STILL but its soo hard! You were another father figure to me and helped me in everyway you could. I look up to you and always will! Its so hard that you're gone and I will always look after your baby gurl. She is always goin to be taken care of and will be ok. No matter how far me and her are we will always be ok if we have eachother. I know we cry at night just thinking about you and when she cried at the bar she called me so I could help her thru it because I understand her pain. She lost her dad and I lost a father figure! We miss you terribly and please keep looking down on us and take care of us! we need you there...I LOVE YOU! Im going to come see you over thanksgiving and update you with everything going on....<3 you

I want to be with you,
But you’re in heaven.
I wish you would call just to ask about my day.
It would make things so much better if I could hear your voice,

Each time someone says your name,
A tear forms in my eye,
How can I be happy,
If all I seem to do is cry?
You weren’t supposed to leave us.
This has to be a dream.
I cant accept your absence,
And take goodbye for what it means.
You left me lost and broken,
I still can’t find my way.
A Month have passed real slowly,
But it’s harder every day.
I miss you so much. You are a part of my heart.

Hello my daddy! So last night I went out and it was 80s nite at the bar..Well it was fun untill Dont Stop Believin came on and I balled my eyes out.I miss you so much and need you badly. I dont know why this happend but i wish u could give me a sign to let me know that ill be ok, because right now im not. I love you daddy, Thinkin about you everyday.. Always & Forever im you little girl.. Love you, Heather

I miss you so much! I love you!

Doner , My dear baby brother,
I stand here and can not believe it this is such a sad day for us.
My brother was a devoted son, brother, Uncle and father, and a very hard worker.
As a son my mom will tell you he was the best . As my brother became an adult I watched him become my mom’s protector. We both worship our mother. It took my mom about 10 years to get my brothers house decorated just how she wanted. He finally gave in to the dollies she put on the tables and placemats. The two of them where always doing some project in his house. They were always painting, putting up new curtains , cleaning his house , my mom loved doing these things with him. At least I thought she did then Christina came along and she started helping with his little projects and somehow mom seemed a little relieved. Doner always worried about mom. He would say Donna is mom taking her medicine? Is she ok? Is she going to her doctor’s appointment. Every birthday party or celebration at Doners house he would call mom the day of the party and say mom you are bringing the cake right. Of course she would say couldn’t you have asked me a few days ago. And he would say something like but your cakes are the best. Doner built both my moms decks of her house also her pool deck, put up new sofit and siding on her house, and built her a new shed. He was so good to mom and he loved her very much. I know he will be watching over mom now and he will be taking care of her as he always has.

My brother lived for his children. They were his world. I remember when he had his first baby. Him calling me and telling me he couldn’t believe how much love he felt and what a miracle it was. He was so excited. He arranged his life around his children’s lives, which isn’t unusual for a parent but he was a single parent. Doner always had a good time with his kids. We all know he was a big kid himself. They would go ATVing and swimming, just always goofing around having bonfires, and cooking out on his grill. He did cook real well on his grill, this is something his son Brian has learned from his dad because he is getting to be quite a good barbeque also. I remember when he bought Jason one of his dirt bikes, he told me how he always wanted a new dirt bike as a kid , and he would walk to the Yamaha dealer and dream about getting one. He was so excited to take his son to get his new dirt bike off the showroom floor. Heather was a daddy’s girl!. I laugh at the story he told me about his visit to her college when she first moved in a house on campus. She was so excited to show her dad her new place. She said Dad it is such a nice place. He laughed about it and later told me it was a shack that was falling down around her. But he was happy she was so proud of it. Joey or AKA Rufus is baby. Knowing his other children where growing up fast, I think he appreciated all the little moments with Joey , the ones he might have missed with the other kids. I want you to know Doner that I will always watch over your babies and we will always have you in our hearts.

As his friends called him ,Duke, was a friend to many. He always found time for his friends. They would tell you he was a true character. A real comedian. He always had a smart comment or a joke coming from him. He could turn a dull party around quickly. He was a loyal friend. He was giving sometimes, as I told him to a fault. That makes me laugh now because this is who he was and that is why so many found him such a special person. He always had many friends even as a child. He was a loyal employee of kavanaugh electric. Dick and Kevin kavanaugh he considered family. Dick was father figure to him. My brother told me they enjoyed many breakfasts together . Dick always gave him good advice on life. The kavanaughs helped him arrange his work hours for the kids many times .. Because of this Duke always stuck with the kavanaughs and thought very highly of them.
When Christina came into his life I moved off of the emergency forms at school. He loved Christina, his little breadwinner in the last month he affectionately called her. He loved her children Alyssa and Adam. We talked about Chrissy much. Doner was happy with Christina. He appreciated all she did for him and the boys. I know her world has fallen apart and I hope she knows my brother truly loved her and she is apart of our family forever. And we will get through this together.
What can I say about him as my brother, but I couldn’t have ordered a better one. He was kind, loving and caring and very loyal. He was my first best friend. For years it was just the 3 of us Donna, duner and mom. We relied on each other. The bond that mom ,doner and I have can never be broken, not even by death. He was a fantastic uncle, my children worshipped him. They always had a blast with their Uncle Dunnie as they call him. He spoiled them. I am so grateful that we always took the time to see each other often and do so much together. We vacationed together. No matter where we where or what we where doing he made sure everyone had a good time. I remember being on vacation in the dells and him putting some lotion on his hands and feet, not knowing this lotion was his daughter, heathers. He woke up in the morning with orange hands and feet. He could not figure out what was the matter with him. Well, Heathers lotion was tanning lotion. He had to walk around looking like that for the rest of the trip. Heather said I guess he won’t use my lotion again. It was so funny. Camping with him was a blast. I remember my friend Patti, and I trying to scare him and Christina in the middle of the nite and him screaming because chrissy closed the tent on him. He got us caught drinking at the camp ground which was prohibited but he charmed his way out of us getting a ticket. I remember he took a microwave with him one time camping. That’s my crazy brother. Always the life of the party. So many memories I will treasure forever. I was so proud of him , how hard he worked. How he provided for his family and what a good man he was. I take comfort in knowing that my brother knew how I felt about him because I told him all the time.

Mom and I walked away from my brother’s house on Thursday not knowing that would be our last. The last time he would kiss us. The last time we would feel his strong embrace. By Saturday our hearts were breaking in a million pieces. Fighting for his life for almost 2 weeks, he cruelly was taken from us. I know he will always be in my heart, but my heart is slowly breaking apart. I always loved having you near and know I wish you where here. Until we meet again Rest in Peace little Brother.

I just found out about Dooner today from my Aunt. I am so very sorry for your loss but i do know how that loss is as we lost David a few years ago. I can't believe this happened but it seemed he had a full life with his family and friends.

Duner brought happy and funny memories to all in his path. I remember the days when we would play at the farm. What great fun we all had with you. Although we lost contact as we grew older, I will always remember the good times. You will be greatly missed and may you rest in peace.
Aunt Fran, Its a sad day for you. May god bless you with all of Duners great memories. You were a wonderful mother. Donna, My heart goes out to you, I couldn't even imagine your heartache. Keep your memories close to you and may god help you heal your broken heart.

Duner you were a very outgoing little boy full of life. You brought joy and happiness to all. I only wish that we hadn't lost touch with you. For that is our loss with many regrets. May you be the angel for your children and walk through the heavenly gates to see those who await you. Love you Uncle Ken and Aunt Jan
Fran and Donna, It has been many years that has past us all by, I wish, I could take all the heartache away. May Duner bring you both peace and love with his joyful memories. My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you both

Duner although we lost contact through the years, I still have fond memories of us playing as kids. You made all of us laugh. I will miss you and I know that you are resting in peace. Aunt Fran, I am so sorry for your loss. You raised two beautiful chidren and what a great job you did. May all your sorrower be surrounded by your wonderful loving grandchildren. Donna and children, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May god help heal your broken hearts.

Our sincere sympathy and prayers are with Duner's children, Fran, Donna and her family. What good memories you have to sustain you in the coming days to help you in your loss. We also send Don and Christina our sympathy. You all have lost a precious person! God Bless. Uncle Jack and Aunt Rose

September 13, 2009
Duke, I will miss you and there will always be a part of you in my heart. There are no words to describe the kind of stand up, fun as hell, friend when you needed one, and a model of a parent you were. I love you Duke! I will pray for your boys and family at this time of need. See you in Heaven my friend.
~ Jamie M Koestner, Chicago, Illinois

You were something else. There will always be a part of you in my heart. Words can not describe what an upstanding straight shooting fun as hell kinda guy you were. I will miss you Duke. I will Pray for your boys and family during this time. I love you Duke.

I love my uncle so much words cannot even describe it. I will miss you so much. I will forever treasure all of the great times we've had and the memories we have made. We have had alot of fun from the camping trips, to Kalahari, 4 wheeling, and just hanging out at your house. I could not have asked God for a greater uncle than you. I will think of you each and every day. And knowing you will be there watching over us will give me the strength to face each day. Don't worry about Heather, Jason, Brian, and Joey, we will take good care of them for you. I love you so much and I will truly miss you. I know you will be our guardian angel and watch over us. I am proud to call you my uncle. Until we meet again..

i will miss you whole bunches neighbor. Love your neighbor/Destanie

celebrating your life well lived, Duke. I worked with you for about 2 years and those days will be remembered forever, you were a cool, and hardworking guy to work with, a lot of fun , i didnt know you that much as other people but the short time i did , you were a kind of guy, rest in peace brother, Real good Jose, real good, you used to say.

Duner
I knew you when you were small little blond boy. what a cuttie.apart of the multon clan . Rest in peace.tom and linda multon-erklin (Bedford park IL)

Duner, I remember the last time I saw you, you took us into your room and you had that cool strobe light! I can't remember when that was (guessing 20 yrs ago)but I regularly remember you and that strobe light. You will be missed and always remembered.
Juj

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.