Sun Prairie/Cottage Grove
Donald “Donny” Edward Faber, age 54, of Sun Prairie, passed away on October 21, 2022 at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on June 8, 1968 in Columbus, Wisconsin to Robert and Hertha (Davis) Faber. Donny grew up outside of Sun Prairie with his parents and siblings, Danny and Nancy, spending a number of summers in Canada in a camper, which was really more of a glorified truck. Donny attended Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary School, Holy Name Seminary and Sun Prairie High School. In 1986, Donny enlisted in the US Marine Corps and graduated from Boot Camp in February of 1987 in San Diego. He was stationed in North Carolina, but was able to visit many different countries throughout his enlistment. Donny’s platoon was deployed to Kuwait where he served during Operation Desert Storm.
After he was done serving, Donny returned to Sun Prairie and began working for his dad as a welder at Faber Welding in 1991. Donny bought the business and the shop from his dad in 2000, after he finally retired completely. He took great pride in his work and continued the family business tradition of excellent quality and service in the welding trade. Donny didn’t have ‘customers’, just friends, as he was loved and respected by many throughout the community.
Donny’s children, Tristen and Olivia, were his ultimate pride and joy, and maybe the cause of some stress, too. In 2014, Donny met Shannon, the love of his life, and they have been inseparable ever since. The four of them have taken many family road trips, as Donny hated flying, making countless memories together all across the country. Outside of his family and work, Donny loved working on cars, trips to the family trailer and napping.
Donny was full of life and laughter right up to his last moments. He always had a way of putting a smile on your face, whether it be a joke, or just his constant, infectious laughter. Donny was always there for anyone that needed him, especially his family, who he loved more than anything. He was extremely selfless, always putting others before himself. In the final months of his life, after being diagnosed with cancer, Donny spent an unfortunate amount of time at the VA in Madison. However, in true Donny fashion, he made fast friends and lasting impacts on all the doctors, nurses and staff that took care of him.
Donny is survived by his fiancé, Shannon Heeren; children Tristen and Olivia; parents Bob and Hertha Faber; mother “outlaw” Suzanne Heeren; siblings Danny Faber and Nancy Faber; nieces & nephew Nicole, Brady, Samantha and Zach; uncle Jim (Mary) Faber, aunt Barb (Pat) Tallman and aunt Susan Davis; as well as numerous cousins, countless friends and last, but surely not least, his furry children Rusty, Moose and Kitty.
Donny was preceded in death by his baby brother, Joseph, grandparents Raymond & Lilian Faber and Harvey & Lena Davis, nephew Jesse Faber and uncle, Roy Davis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert Drive in Sun Prairie, with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the family and all gifts will be split between a fund for Tristen & Olivia’s continuing education and a donation to the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Donny’s name for all their efforts, which the family is forever thankful.