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John Harvey “Johnny” Donbraska Jr.

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John Harvey “Johnny” Donbraska Jr.

Birth
Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota, USA
Death
8 Feb 2017 (aged 67)
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
Burial
Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota, USA GPS-Latitude: 44.3676071, Longitude: -103.4726868
Plot
Section K 601
Memorial ID
View Source
John Harvey Donbraska, Jr. (Earned a Bronze Star at 20 years old in the Navy)
Date of Birth: January 24, 1950

Died on: February 08, 2017

Aberdeen, SD-Funeral service for John Harvey Donbraska, Jr., 67, of Aberdeen will be 10:00 am, Thursday, February 16, 2017 at New Life Fellowship in Aberdeen. Pastor Mark Zimmerman will officiate.

Burial will be 1:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2017 in Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD with full military rites by Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

John died February 8, 2017 at Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

John Harvey Donbraska, Jr., son of John Harvey, Sr. and Mildred Martha (Dearborn) Donbraska, was born January 24, 1950 at Huron, SD. As young child his family moved to the Black Hill Ordnance Depot at Igloo, SD. Growing up in a military family he and his family traveled and relocated a lot. John graduated from Rapid City High School in 1969 and in that same year he joined the United States Navy. John was a Vietnam veteran and received an honorable discharge in 1972. He earned a Bronze Star and was a Petty Officer 2nd/3rd class. He was a member of the United States Navy Reserves Then he served 4 years in the army and became a Sargent. Then 4 years in the Reserves. Following his military service John became an RN and later went to the State University to receive a Science of mechanics degree and also worked for the Wyoming Highway Department for a few years and then in the coal mines from 1979 to 1996. He had his blaster certification, allowing him to work explosives. In 1996 John moved to Mobridge to take care of his mother. Following her death he moved to Aberdeen and went to work at Twin City Fan, where he remained until 2015 when he retired due to his health. John married Debra Cooper on August 26, 2003 in Aberdeen. John was a very active man, he loved going to the gym to work out, swimming, jogging on Aberdeen's new bike and running trail, walking his many dogs that loved him Patches, Barney, Mickey and Missy. In every picture you will find that John was always smiling, he was a very happy and energetic man with a very vibrant personality, full of vitality and ready for the world every morning. A positive "get up and go" attitude, and he loved everyone. He thought he had to entertain every person he met. He was a soldier till the end, till his last breath, he loved the Lord... He was a good man!
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Debbie, brother Vernon Donbraska of Geneseo, KS; one nephew Joe Donbraska of Chamberlain, SD and two nieces Kelly Donbraska of Scotts Bluff, NE and Wendy (Billy) Glassburn of Ogallala, NE.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws.

John loved Jesus and was very comfortable in his salvation.

WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.

SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."

written by George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army


Debi Donbraska Cooper Allott
Memorial

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
that I leave when my life is gone,..
to turn into the smile that was
always on my lips for you...

I miss you at Christmas, your always on my mind, for days without a thought of you are very hard to find.
I love you always Johnny... I'll see u there on that trail and hold your warm hands once again as we walk together in the warm sun with our dogs...

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.
Here is something Every American should know.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.
The words are:
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh
I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
John Harvey Donbraska, Jr. (Earned a Bronze Star at 20 years old in the Navy)
Date of Birth: January 24, 1950

Died on: February 08, 2017

Aberdeen, SD-Funeral service for John Harvey Donbraska, Jr., 67, of Aberdeen will be 10:00 am, Thursday, February 16, 2017 at New Life Fellowship in Aberdeen. Pastor Mark Zimmerman will officiate.

Burial will be 1:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2017 in Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD with full military rites by Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

John died February 8, 2017 at Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

John Harvey Donbraska, Jr., son of John Harvey, Sr. and Mildred Martha (Dearborn) Donbraska, was born January 24, 1950 at Huron, SD. As young child his family moved to the Black Hill Ordnance Depot at Igloo, SD. Growing up in a military family he and his family traveled and relocated a lot. John graduated from Rapid City High School in 1969 and in that same year he joined the United States Navy. John was a Vietnam veteran and received an honorable discharge in 1972. He earned a Bronze Star and was a Petty Officer 2nd/3rd class. He was a member of the United States Navy Reserves Then he served 4 years in the army and became a Sargent. Then 4 years in the Reserves. Following his military service John became an RN and later went to the State University to receive a Science of mechanics degree and also worked for the Wyoming Highway Department for a few years and then in the coal mines from 1979 to 1996. He had his blaster certification, allowing him to work explosives. In 1996 John moved to Mobridge to take care of his mother. Following her death he moved to Aberdeen and went to work at Twin City Fan, where he remained until 2015 when he retired due to his health. John married Debra Cooper on August 26, 2003 in Aberdeen. John was a very active man, he loved going to the gym to work out, swimming, jogging on Aberdeen's new bike and running trail, walking his many dogs that loved him Patches, Barney, Mickey and Missy. In every picture you will find that John was always smiling, he was a very happy and energetic man with a very vibrant personality, full of vitality and ready for the world every morning. A positive "get up and go" attitude, and he loved everyone. He thought he had to entertain every person he met. He was a soldier till the end, till his last breath, he loved the Lord... He was a good man!
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Debbie, brother Vernon Donbraska of Geneseo, KS; one nephew Joe Donbraska of Chamberlain, SD and two nieces Kelly Donbraska of Scotts Bluff, NE and Wendy (Billy) Glassburn of Ogallala, NE.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws.

John loved Jesus and was very comfortable in his salvation.

WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.

SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."

written by George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army


Debi Donbraska Cooper Allott
Memorial

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
that I leave when my life is gone,..
to turn into the smile that was
always on my lips for you...

I miss you at Christmas, your always on my mind, for days without a thought of you are very hard to find.
I love you always Johnny... I'll see u there on that trail and hold your warm hands once again as we walk together in the warm sun with our dogs...

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.
Here is something Every American should know.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment..
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.
The words are:
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh
I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Inscription

John H. Donbraska Jr. PO 3rd class US Navy Vietnam born Jan. 24th 1950 died Feb 8th, 2017 Beloved Husband.

Gravesite Details

Find a bench in the middle of the cemetery Section K, and walk the open path up to it. His stone reads John H. Donbraska Jr. #601



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