Donald "Don" Lee Topper

Donald “Don” Lee Topper, 77, of Mount Vernon, IN, passed away on October 14, 2025 at Mount Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation. Donald was born on April 2, 1948 on the West Side of Evansville. He attended White School in Evansville’s far west neighborhood of Mud Center, where he met his wife-to-be, Deborah “Debbie” Holmes. While in high school, he spent summers working on the Posey County farm of his aunt and uncle, June and Wayne Topper, and continued to lend a hand there into adulthood. Donald graduated from F.J. Reitz High School in 1966. The next year, he and Debbie were married. Donald was a devoted husband and father. By example, he instilled in his three boys the invaluable principles of dependability, self-reliance, and curiosity. He was employed by the Mount Vernon companies of Babcock & Wilcox and then GAF for over 40 years.

A builder, problem solver, and tinkerer, Donald understood how things worked. He completely renovated the family home and later converted the attached garage to accommodate Debbie’s dog grooming and kenneling business. Donald was especially skilled at metalworking. He scratch-built several trailers for hauling tractors and other heavy equipment. He also supported Debbie’s projects at Mount Vernon Community Church - Black’s Chapel through his building and design abilities.

Donald was a motorcycle enthusiast. Over his lifetime, he owned a number of bikes, including a BMW and, most recently, a Honda Gold Wing. One of his favorite pastimes was long-distance touring. Debbie and Don took several 1,000-mile trips to visit family and friends. He often recounted his ride on the Tail of the Dragon route in the Tennessee-North Carolina Appalachian Mountains.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Deborah Topper, parents Leland and Etolia Topper, paternal grandparents Lloyd and Lola Topper, and maternal grandparents Charles and Margaret Anderson. He is survived by his children Todd (Chere), Jason (Carrie), and Danny (Lisa), seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and brothers David Anderson and Greg Topper.

Friends and family may visit on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 W Illinois Street, Evansville, IN. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 5:30 p.m., officiated by Pastor Gene Backes and Pastor Troy DeKemper.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Donald may be made to Mount Vernon Community Church - Black’s Chapel, 1800 W 4th Street, Mount Vernon, IN 47620, 812-838-0318, ([email protected]).

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.