January 11, 2024 –
Donald Charles Pappen
May 24, 1951 – December 30, 2023
Donald C. “Don” Pappan passed away December 30,2023 at Midland Hospice in Topeka Kansas with family by his side.
Don was born May 24th, 1951 in Holton, Kansas at Holton hospital to Charles M. Pappan and Goldie I. (Stewart) Pappan.
Don attended schools in Circleville, Kansas and later moved to Hoyt, Kansas where he graduated in 1969 from Hoyt High school. In high school he was active in football, track and basketball. After graduation he worked doing cement work. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force. After he served his country, he moved back to Hoyt, Kansas. He joined the Topeka Fire Department in 1976 and retired 2006 as Captain. He continued working as a cement finisher part time while active on Fire Department and after his retirement. Don is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation tribe. His was so very proud of his Native American history.
Don married Sherry Holder Filbert December 24, 1984 in Topeka, Kansas. They moved to Topeka where they shared their blended family. They celebrated 39 years together. Other survivors include children, Lisa Pappan of Texas, Lori Pappan Sells of Texas; Tony Filbert (Robyn) of Topeka, Aaron Filbert (Melinda) of Topeka, Josie Filbert of Kentucky, Crystal Nelson (Donnie) of Coleman, Florida, and Tyler Filbert of Topeka; sister, Charlene Anderson of Hoyt, KS; mother-in-law, Joan Justice of Independence, MO; special friends of family, Royce and Shawna Hettinger of Drexel, Missouri; grandchildren, Cheyenne Filbert, Cody Ayers (Dan), Christian Bledsoe, Morgan Bledsoe, Chelsea VanDyke (Marshall), Hailee Colerick, Tyrell Redmond (Tiffany), Cameron Redmond, Rachel Wilson, Cassidy Ghere (Dillon), Gracie Filbert, Lauren Wilson, Duane Filbert, and Oliver Filbert; great-grandchildren, Nova Redmond, Noah Franklin, Abigail Vandyke, and Holden Vandyke; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Dorothy Simon, Geraldine Hamlin, Theresa Anderson, Sharon McClane, and Margaret Ann Pappan.
Don was a sports enthusiast, loving NASCAR, Kansas State football and basketball, Kansas City Royals, and Kansas City Chiefs. He was active in Boy Scouts, loved watching the kids play sports and enjoyed time with family. He also loved crossword puzzles and would buy the paper just for the puzzles.
He was the family 4th of July patriarch, loving to get with the boys to make as much noise and light up the sky with fireworks.
He was a jokester at heart. At one time he had convinced the kids that a particular NASCAR driver was his cousin. He also liked to joke with his fellow fire fighters and over the years played jokes on them.
Don was loved by his wife and family and will be greatly missed.
Visitation and funeral services were Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Parker-Price Funeral Home. Burial with military honors was at Half-Day Cemetery.
(Courtesy of Parker-Price Funeral Home)