Donald Eugene Pogue, 98, of Festus died March 16, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Arnold. Mr. Pogue was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, a member of VFW Post 3777 and Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. He was an entrepreneur. As a young man, he had his hand in many jobs, including a door-to-door vacuum salesman, a bartender and writer for the local newspaper. He then landed a job managing the Festus Dairy Queen, which he and his wife ran for several years. There, he realized he had a passion for food service and decided to open a pizza parlor. In 1970, Pogolino’s was born in Festus, and shortly after in De Soto. He was not afraid to fail and opened several more businesses in Bonne Terre, Pevely, Imperial and St. Louis. He also owned the Fox River Dairy cheese business in Fenton for many years. In his spare time, he loved golf and spending time with his family, especially his five granddaughters. He loved to sing to others and was quite the dancer and cusser. Born Sept. 28, 1927, in Herculaneum, he was the son of the late Mildred Mary (Polette) Pogue and Herman Oby Pogue.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Shirley Ann (Schweigert) Pogue.
He is survived by three daughters: Donna Sue Pogue-Kinsley of Festus, Jean Marie (Bill) Scott of Festus and Terri Lee (Al) Walker of De Soto; five grandchildren: Mindy (Jon) Davis, Trudy (John) Crites, Rachel (Dustin) Schutte, Kate (Eddie) Robinson and Devin (Ryan) Lawrence; and 11 great-grandchildren: Trenton, Aubrey, Rylee, Reid, Kashdon, Adilynn, Layla, Jax, Kyndall, Brexson and Makynna.
He also was preceded in death by a son: Donald E. Pogue Jr.; and a great-grandson: Kyler Walker Schutte.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Pastor Michael Rose. Interment with full military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Ozark Food Pantry or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.