Donald (Donnie) Wayne Baber

The staff of Heishman Funeral Home/Valley Funeral Service sends condolences to the family of Donald (Donnie) Wayne Baber. Donald (Donnie) Wayne Baber, 74, of Edinburg, went home to join his wife on Friday, February 28th, 2025. Donnie was born on May 4th, 1950, at Reese Airforce base in Lubbock, Texas. During his early years, he traveled the world with his family, as his father was an Air Force Master Sgt. After settling into the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, he began attending Saumsville Christian Church where he remained a member until his passing. In his formative years, he attended and graduated from Central High School and Triplett Tech. In early 1972, Donnie met his would-be wife, Deborah Bright while drag racing with friends. He claims to have “won” her in a “winner take all” race that day. On June 25th, 1972, they were married and in January 1973, welcomed their first of three daughters. Throughout his life, he held a variety of jobs to provide for his growing family. He worked at his family’s filling station, held long standing employment with Rocco (Georges) poultry plant, Johns Manville, and retired from Interbake Foods in Front Royal in 2019. He made many lifelong friends wherever he went. He was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Bright Baber, parents, Ernie Lorenza and Mary Ann Beeson Baber, parents' in-law Carl Sr and Mary Haun Bright, sister Dorothy Boehm, brother Ernie Baber, brother in-laws Johnny Bright and Kirby Lloyd, sister-in-law Millie Baber, his beloved daughter, Denise Baber Violett and his furry best friend and companion, Bouncer, with whom will be interred with him. He is survived by his daughters, Dawn Burch and Donia Ryman; son in-laws, John Violett, Garrett Burch and Jamie Ryman. sisters, Ann Lloyd and Sandi Crowe (Ronnie); brother Marvin Baber; brother and sister in-law, Carl Jr and Shirley Bright and sister in-law Pat Bright. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Victoria Lansberry, Elizabeth Violett, Alexis Baber, Michael Baber, Joel Burch, Gabriella Ryman and Khloe Ryman, numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Donnie made many friends, from early childhood to late in life, he valued those friendships, especially with Jim Kibler, Vic Copp, Keith Jett, Melissa Baber, Doris Tevault and Gary & Barb Arghyris. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at Saumsville Christian Church in Maurertown, by Pastor Wendell Schurtz, with burial immediately following at the Saumsville Christian Church Cemetery. A covered dish meal will follow at the church social hall. Donnie’s inflated stories and quick wit will follow us all in the years to come. He had a heart of gold and loved everyone he ever met. He thought of everyone as a friend and never met a stranger, making everyone feel like family. He loved hunting, cooking, fast cars and his family. He will be missed by many but will be remembered by all who ever had the honor of loving him. Our deepest gratitude to Shenandoah County Fire & Rescue, Mt. Jackson Rescue Squad and the entire staff at SMH on Friday evening, that worked so hard to help him. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Saumsville Christian Church Cemetery Fund, 2035 Saumsville Rd, Maurertown, VA 22644, in his memory. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.

Donald (Donnie) Wayne Baber

May 4, 1950 - February 28, 2025