Doni Van Beek

Doni Van Beek, 73, much-loved musician, vocalist, and bartender; of Chicago's Rogers Park; passed away December 6, 2025, after a brief battle with metastatic prostate cancer

Donald Earle Van Beek, Jr. was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, attended Thornton Township High School, and graduated from Hillcrest High School. As a teenager, Donald discovered Jimi Hendrix and decided to go by "Doni". After a few college classes (probably history) Doni saved enough money to backpack across Europe for three months.

It was in 1976 that Doni caught the eye of Connie Gordon at the Odd Sock, a dive bar in Midlothian. Doni was standing stage-side, playing harmonica alongside a band. At their second meeting, Connie accidentally stepped on and broke his guitar cable. The two enjoyed platonic friendship for a year before becoming lovers and on September 5, 1981 they held a small wedding party after a modest civil ceremony at the Markham Court House. The couple moved from Blue Island to Beverly to Wrigleyville to Lakeview before returning south to Bridgeport for a decade of loft-living. They purchased a house in Homewood in 1999 and moved all the way north to Rogers Park in 2015. Doni and Connie enjoyed a solid healthy marriage. The couple were incredibly supportive of each other's interests and pursuits. They traveled to Barcelona, Germany (Berlin, Nuremberg, and Munich), Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London, and Mexico (Puerta Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and even visited Cancun just weeks ago.)

Music was Doni's life. He played Southern-style rock with a local band, did the guitar duo scene with Ric Radick and even jammed with Slash once in the late 80's. From 1985-92, Doni fronted Price of Priesthood opening for Smashing Pumpkins and other touring bands. Doni played harmonica and rhythm guitar and sang lead vocals along with bandmates Vince Szydlowski (lead guitar), Jim Hauser (keyboards), Mike Hosman (drums), and the late, great Bill Hyland (bass). Although lyrical and poetic, the band prided themselves as being one of the loudest bands in Chicago.

Doni, Hyland, Hosman and Billy Anderson (rhythm guitar/keyboards) briefly joined Babette Novak in Babette's Feast in 1992, and they toured some clubs in Colorado. In late 1992 Doni, Hyland and Anderson reformed as Tungdriven with Bob Schneider on drums. They held the unique honor of being the subject of a Wesley Willis-penned song. Doni's next band, 40 Horse Johnson, with Bill Hyland, Mike Hosman and lead guitarist Dave Menet, served an even harder, more riff-driven sound. Over the years, Doni and Bill collaborated creatively, most recently on Daddy Burger Swag (with Doni on guitars and vocals), joined by Sanjay Mehta and later Mike Collins on drums, and Tom Van Kanegan and later Fred Jackson on sax.

Lastly, Doni enjoyed a very spirited and experimental collaboration with Indiana vocalist/guitarist/producer Jef Sarver at Jef's studio for well over a decade and into this year. They were 'brothers from another mother', their great friendship having started while waiting in line at a New York Dolls concert in 2010.

Doni worked in Chicago's events industry as a bartender for Artifact Events, the Chicago Theatre, and Food for Thought Catering. He also made floral deliveries and seasonal decorations set-ups for Florisculpture at hotels, residences, and the Union League Club. He was an avid reader who studied history and watched Sunday sports with his friends at Cary's Lounge on Devon. Don rooted for the Chicago Bulls and was eager to watch Bears games, even while his health was failing

Doni is missed by so many people. Most of all, his adoring wife of 44 years, Constance Jane Van Beek (nee Gordon), who feels lost without her baby. Their three cats Bootsy, Freddy, and Flint are confused but keeping Connie warm at night.

He was the eldest brother of Richard (the late Carol) Van Beek and Cathy (Phil) Wilder; loving "Uncle Doni" of Jimmy, Jeff, and Kevin (Lisa) Barrett and twins Alex and Andrew (Lara) Van Beek; great-uncle of Leo and Nora. Doni is also survived by Thomas Oberg, his best friend of 60 years. Tom called Doni "South Side Slim" and the two enjoyed many youthful adventures, hitchhiking and other shenanigans. Tom was there when Doni picked up his first guitar at the age of 14.

Preceded in death by parents Donald E. and Jeannette Catherine (nee Dugan) Van Beek, Sr. and special feline friends Clancy and Devin.

The family has donated Doni's body to science via the Anatomical Gift Association.

Memorial service Sunday, February 1, 12:30-4:30pm. (Doors open 12:30, eulogy service begins 1:30pm). at Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613. Friends and family will gather after the service for "Jammin Without a License": Doni's Memorial Afterparty with Live Music, 6-10pm, at Cary's Lounge 2251 W. Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society; https://www.cancer.org/ or to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund: https://www.sweetrelief.org/

Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com/