Donnie E. Vaughn, 79, Jasper

Donnie E. Vaughn, 79, of Jasper, passed away in Heart to Heart Home Hospice, surrounded by family and Linda, his Qualicare sitter, at 8:05 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Donnie was born in Huntingburg on September 10, 1946, to James K. and Rita O. Sermersheim Vaughn.

He married Carolyn Vandiver on April 17, 1982, in Reynosa, Mexico.

She preceded him in death on July 28, 2014.

After graduating from Dubois High School in 1964, he served in the Army National Guard for 6 years.

In his early years, he was a drummer for a local band, “Louise and the Country Gentlemen,” playing some of the best polkas and waltzes around town. He was a long-standing member of the American Legion, K of C, Eagles Club, the Jasper Outdoor Recreation and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, horses, and spending time with family.

Surviving are his daughters, Audrey (Jay) Franks of Evansville; Wendy Kunzler of Aurora, Ohio; stepdaughter, Donna (Roger) Ingram of Rainsville, Ala.; eight grandchildren: Taylor (Aaron) Clark of Henderson, Ky. Jonathan, Steven, Elizabeth, and Mary Rudd, all of Evansville, Issac, Evan, and Levi Kunzler, all of Aurora, Ohio; one great-grandchild, Callum Clark; sister, Bonnie (Jim) Matheis, niece, Sheila Kersteins, and nephews: Rod (Brenda) Gehlhausen, Chris (Amy) Gehlhausen, and two step-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he is preceded in death by one grandchild, Donovan Rudd, and stepson, Tim Cochran.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donnie E. Vaughn will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper. The American Legion Post 147 will conduct military graveside rites.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service time on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Qualicare Home Care Southwest Indiana, or Heart-to-Heart Hospice.

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