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Michael Dean ‘Mike’ Donnelly
April 23, 1975 - June 08, 2023
Michael Dean ‘Mike’ Donnelly, 48, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Midland Hospice House, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by family. Mike was born April 23, 1975, in Topeka. He graduated from Topeka West High in 1994, where he played football and made many lifelong friends. Mike worked with LKQ Mid-America for the last 11 ½ years, where he held multiple positions. Most recently working as a warranty supervisor. He also moonlighted as a spirits salesman at Vern’s Retail Liquor for the last two years.
On June 25, 2005, Mike married the love of his life, Ashley Dawn Rhone, at Most Pure Heart of Mary, who he lovingly referred to as his ‘Sugar Momma’.
In his spare time, Mike enjoyed fishing, working on cars, and being with his family and friends. He was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved University of Kansas athletics and the Kan-sah Ciiiiiity Chiefs. He had a heart of gold and was always the life of the party. He came equipped to said parties with a 30 pack of “dad jokes” and beers. He was always quick to help a friend in need. His infectious smile and big laugh will live on, through those that know and love him.
His grandfather instilled a love for all sports, especially football. Mike coached football and baseball for many years with the Topeka Saints organization. He was proud that some of his former players went on to play Division 1 football. It was important to Mike to pass on the love of sports, which he demonstrated in coaching his sons and nephew, Dallas.
Mike is survived by his wife, Ashley; and their children, Ethan ‘Big’, Dylan ‘Middle’ and Braxton ‘Little’; parents John and Linda Donnelly; siblings Angela (‘Big’ Shaun) Smith and ‘Little’ Sean Donnelly; mother and father-in-law Gina and Doug Rhone; grandmother-in-law Beverly Ketter; sister in-law Jessica (Matt) deMontel; brother-in-law Andrew (Kayla) Rhone; nieces Michele (Michael) Houghton and Keeli Rhone; nephews Dallas Smith, Tucker Rhone, Xavier and Ben deMontel; great niece Laken Houghton; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and framily. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kylee Jo Donnelly, and grandparents John ‘Jack’ & Arel ‘Irene’ Donnelly; Dallas & Norma Power and Larry Ketter.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, June 24, from 5pm to 10pm, at the Auburn Civic Center, 1020 N Washington Street, Auburn, KS 66402. Please wear either KU, Chiefs, or his favorite color orange.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to the Mike Donnelly Children’s Memorial Fund and sent to Blue Cross Blue Shield Credit Union 1010 SW Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612.
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So sorry for your loss. Mike was a great person. He was a loving husband & father. We give hope to Ashley & boys with all our love & prayers. Mike will live on in your sons. Hope for the future for our family. Mike was a truly kind & loving man. So sorry for your loss.
We send our sincere and deepest condolences to Ashley, Ethan, Dylan, Braxton and to his whole family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are so deeply sorry for the loss of Mike. We will continue to pray for peace?
An open letter to my son:
Well, Mike the dust is settling and life is beginning to get back to our “new” normal. There are no words that I can put down on this paper to express the deep and profound sadness that I feel day after day. I doesn’t seem possible that you’re not with us anymore. It’s like a bad dream more like a nightmare that reoccurs daily. The one month anniversary of your journey to heaven was a tough one. I miss you so much! At times the sadness is more than I can handle and I just breakdown, but thanks to family and friends that help me stay busy those breakdowns don’t seem to be quite as intense, but it’s like a wave that flows over me. It can be anything that brings it on. Sometimes like a dejavu moment. But it is deep and intense and doesn’t go away. You know, I thought I knew the ins and outs of grief, having grieved your sister. But this is so different. I can’t make any sense of this I can’t justify it in my head or heart. You’ve always been a healthy, young father of 3, a husband a GOOD Daddy, a good and loyal worker making steady steps to “add tools to your toolbox”. You’ve always had a good heart, a good person that would help others with projects, but of all these accolades and accomplishments, you were first and foremost, my first born son. You fulfilled my hopes and dreams. We had our growing pains and worked through all that with a little help from Mee Mee and Pomp Pomp and friends. There are so many good things I could go on and on, but I won’t for a lot of reasons.
Oh, there were so many fun times. Who could forget the hard work that you put in to get your Associates Degree in Computer Science and to see you in that cap and gown was absolutely incredible, how about all the St Patrick’s Day floats we worked so hard and won 1st place 3 times, but it wasn’t about winning so much as we were having fun as a family!!! The pride you took and all the things you did on that Big Red truck and then replacing it with the grey Ford Diesel. I was so happy when you and Ashley bought your new home. What a joy from a parents view of that dream coming true for you and your family. They’re lots of memories that I rely on to make the many stories of our life alive. I Love You Mikey!
My son, there will never be an another you in my earthly life, but I can take peace and solace knowing that when my time comes I will be reunited with you and those who passed before me that we loved.
You are a grown man, but you will always be my Mikey! It was always Mikey, when you played football, wrestled, played softball, when you walked back down the aisle with your beaming bride, Ashley on your arm, when Ethan was born. You showed so much pride and strength when we knew he was having trouble and had to stay in NICU, when Dylan was born and again that pride of having a second boy. Then surprise here comes #3, Braxton who you loved and cared for as you with rest of your family I am so proud of the man you grew to be. I’m proud to say that you are my first born and that I’m your Mom (no not Marma)! ❤️❤️. I will write to you often just to send a hug and a kiss and tell you that I Love You and Miss You so much!!!
All My Love,
Mom