Donald Mayor VanCleve, age 87, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Southgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Don was born in Henderson, Kentucky, on Saturday, February 19, 1938, to Preston and Mayme VanCleve. He was a graduate of Henderson High School and received his Associate's Degree from Paducah Junior College. His life was an example of leadership, dedication, and community service. He served on the Baptist Hospital local Board of Directors for 29 years, and the Corporate Board for eight years. He was president of the Paducah and state of Kentucky Lions Club, and also Paducah Easter Seals and state of Kentucky Easter Seals Society. He retired after 43 years of employment with WPSD, Channel 6 television station, where his involvement was instrumental to the success of the Telethon of Stars. Don’s faith was an important aspect of his life, being expressed through his membership in Immanuel Baptist church, where he served on various committees, directing and also teaching in the Sunday School Department. In the midst of his busy and productive life, he was an avid golfer.
Mr. VanCleve is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Jo DeBoe VanCleve; his daughter, Karen Brown (Kevin) of Knoxville, Tennessee; his son, Donnie VanCleve (Jen) of Hendersonville, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Melissa VanCleve Hopwood (Tim), Lindsay Johnson Stacy (Matt), Hunter VanCleve, Cali VanCleve, Grace Pfeiffer, Trevor Pfeiffer, Keely Pfeiffer, Elizabeth Brown Waggoner (Logan), and Trevor Brown(Jamie); his great grandchildren, Kendall, Jocelyn, Kaylee, William, Vanessa, Evie, Katy and Nathan; his niece, Linda Anderson; and his nephew, Larry Laswell.
Mr. VanCleve was preceded in death by his son, David Joe VanCleve; his parents, Preston Chainey VanCleve and Mayme Tillison VanCleve; and his sister, Marion Laswell.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Pastor Katie McKown and Rev. Jamie Broome officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Immanuel Baptist Church, 3465 Buckner Lane, Paducah, KY 42001, or The Community Kitchen, 1237 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Paducah, KY 42001.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
