Donald-Jonker-Obituary

COL Donald Jonker

Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Donald Edward Jonker 1932 – 2012 COL Don Jonker, USAF Ret., "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" and "touched the face of God" on February 27, 2012. Don was born on April 29, 1932 in Chicago, IL, and died on February 27, 2012 from septic shock following cancer surgery. His close living family...

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Hi - This is Barry Meuse - I worked for Don in Hq USAF Europe in Flight Safety in Wiesbaden Germany. He was a great friend and no better boss. Sorry to be catching up so late and sorry I didn't get to see him before he passed. Such a great, spontaneous personality - he was great to me - love him. Best to his wife Pat and all his wonderful family. God bless him.

Sorry for being so late. I am Kimberly Stalla Jonker's brother. Don was 10 years older than me and he and his friend from Fenger High school. baby sat for me and my siblings. Don was always our family's Golden Boy, he and his friend Sammy Esposito were great athletes at Fenger. My older brother and I also went to Bunker Hill and sat in one of the planes he use to fly. Don is with God now, and is in a much better place. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family. Him and his younger brother...

Thank you for your service and for raising a kind caring son. I wish you could see what an awesome husband he is. You would be proud.

Don was my my B-58 pilot for about 5 years. He will never be forgotten because he was not only one of the best pilots l ever flew with, he was also ac a character who was always fun to be around and more importantly he was a friend. God we need more of his type today.

Don was one one of the best pilots I have ever flown with. I was his Navigator-bombardier for many t years ln the B-58. More than a good pilot he was a good guy, always busy and generally pretty entertaining. I had been thinking about Don a lot lately especially during the ground alert accident when we lost Rocky Cervantes and B-58. It was a thought scary time for all. Of lighter note we had some great times at Bunker hill/ Grissom AFB and of course I had to become a Bears fan. RIP Don, there...

4th Degree Donald Jonker, I still can not believe you have passed. If you were ill you never showed it. The times that I called you, reference attending the 4th Degree Color Corps functions, by the way you wore the uniform you seemed to me that you were a Soldier. You did an excellent job, I always liked to call on you, you were always ready. May God bless you.
Nemecio R. Chavez, 4th Degree
Former Color Corps Commander
Knights of Columbus

Don Jonker was my cousin. He was my Uncle Ray Jonker's son. My dad Joseph E. Jonker was Donny's uncle. I remember visiting my cousin Don at Bunker Hill AFB in Indiana. My brother Rob and I played with Dirk and Dana while our parents visited with each other. I was thrilled to get to sit in one of the jets he flew. He was a wonderful man. So soft spoken and gentle. I will always remember him fondly.

Sorry for your loss Dave and family.... If you want to get in touch Im on facebook

Condolences to the family of Col. Jonker. He was obviously an excellent pilot and top notch person. My father, who passed many years ago, would definitely have known him, as he constantly traveled to all of the bases where B-58s were stationed. It is difficult to put into words what high regard and praise my father always had for those who worked on and flew B-58s. I share that regard and am saddened by Col. Jonker's death. I see from the guest book, though, that he had a wonderful life full...