Donald Gene Vieth, known to all as Don, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on September 19, 2025, at Mercy South in St. Louis County. He was 82 years old.
Born on May 19, 1943, in the Vinson Community of Dexter, Missouri, Don was the son of the late Lawrence G. and Vernice A. Vieth. He grew up in Dexter and graduated from Dexter High School in the Class of 1961. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Southeast Missouri State University.
Don’s passion and calling was to choral music education where he pursued a career that lasted for three decades. That calling was interrupted in the late 1960’s by Uncle Sam and the Vietnam war where he was proud to serve his country in the United States Air Force, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam. After Vietnam he was happy to restart his career at Lafayette High School in St Louis County for 5 years and then at Farmington High School for 22 years until his retirement in 1998. Under his leadership, the A Capella choir annually achieved the highest “1 – Excellent” rating for the duration of his tenure, a testament to his passion for music, teaching, mentoring and inspiring students.
A man of deep faith, Don was an active member of the church wherever he lived. Most notably, he served for many years at First Baptist Church in Farmington, Missouri, where he was a deacon, sang faithfully in the choir, and annually portrayed Jesus in the Easter production — a role he cherished. Most recently he was a proud member of the choir at Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton, MO.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Nina Gail Vieth; his parents, Lawrence and Vernice Vieth; his brothers Barry Allan, Richard Gordon, and Troy Nelson Vieth; and his grandson, Ryan Simmons. He is survived by his children, Scott Bryan Vieth and partner Tom Sothers, and Melanie Lynn (Vieth) Braun and husband Marc D. Braun; as well as his grandsons, Nicolaus Marc Braun, Noah Scott Braun, and Gabriel Joseph Braun. He is also lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law Diane Vieth (spouse of the late Richard Vieth) and her children Teresa Corelli, Ben Vieth, Rachel Dunham, and Andy Vieth, along with their families; his brother-in-law Ed Graham and wife Alpha Graham; and their daughter Anna Leah Graham and her family, and Neal Graham.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, St. Louis, Missouri. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, October 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 7700 Davis Drive, Clayton, Missouri 63105 with a lunch following. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in DeSoto, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made in support of missionaries Jared and Kelsey Bullock, serving in Honduras.
· Online Giving: www.encouragingleaders.com/supportthebullocks
· Checks: Make payable to The Antioch Partners, memo: Bullock support
Mail to: The Antioch Partners, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Don’s life was a testimony of faith, service, and love. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Don was a beautiful human being and it was my joy to be able to sing and travel with him. We sang together in England and traveled to the Holy Land. He was always a joy to be around and had a great smile. He is now with the one who loved him the most, his Savior, Jesus. May God give the family His peace and comfort. Blessings, RM
Uncle Don was so special. When my dad died (Richard Vieth) Uncle Don stepped up. Not to fill his shoes, but to be a comfort for our family, and to love us through our grief. He was still grieving himself from the loss of Aunt Nina, and then his brother. He was selfless and compassionate. In so doing, he became like a second dad to me, and like a grandfather to my daughter, who would never know her real grandfather. It’s bitter sweet because he’s been ready to go for years, and I know he is happy to be singing in a heavenly choir. But our hearts will greave the absence of his presence . I love you so, Uncle Don.
Beautifully said… thoroughly agree and heartily second this. What a tremendous blessing Uncle Don has been to all of us!
Mr. Vieth was the best choir teacher i ever had in high school. he taught me so much about how 2 sing with heart. i loved being in his classes. he never gave up on me when i don’t think he realized how shy i was at times when singing. but he gave me courage to persevere. he will b greatly missed. prayers for his wife and Melanie and the rest of his family. i will always think of him when singing. blessed b.
Don was one of those special people that seemed to always have a smile and a cheerful greeting for everyone. We got to know Don while at First Baptist. He lived his faith and served The Lord faithfully.
I will always remember his performances in the musical Joy comes in the Morning. In the greeting line after one special performance a high school student of Don’s was shaking his hand and Don said “Well hello (her name” she was shocked and asked him how he knew her name. He quickly came back with “ Jesus knows everyone.” He will definitely leave a void. He was a beautiful person.
He was special to everyone that knew him. He will be missed greatly.
So sorry for family, but was immediately reminded of Don and Nina’s singing for our family at our Granddaughter’s funeral, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”. How appropriate now. Our thoughts and prayers for Scott and Melanie and family.
I miss the choir days, he was the best.
One of the most Godly men I have had the privilege of knowing, rest assured he is with the Lord. What a blessing to all those he touched. Great MAN!! I pray for God’s peace for your family.
Mr Vieth was a wonderful and talented choir teacher. A fun class with great music. Really enjoyed his class and teaching.
Don and I were in a quartet together during our college days. He was a great human and excellent musician. A very good friend and fellow high school choral director. He will be missed.
Don was a very welcoming, friendly & generous neighbor. I will miss our many conversations of sharing our family stories. He will be missed !
I met Don in 1957 at Dexter High School. He was always the same person to all of those in our HS. He treated everyone the same whether they were underclass, upperclass or in our class. He was our class president and a wonderful classmates and friend. How great our community, state, country and world would be if we emulated Donnie Vieth.
Prayers for all of his family and friends. God only takes the best.
Don smiled at me across the room during his last choir rehearsal. Neither of us knew it would be the last smile I would ever see of his sweet face.
This one hurts. Mr. Vieth was such a wonderful man. I primarily knew him as my choir teacher and for his help with the various high school musicals he assisted with. He was one of those teachers that made you look forward to coming to school. He inspired you to do better in everything. When my own kids were in choir my wife and I would comment that their chorus rooms seemed incomplete without a “Yes You” can on a wall. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to known Mr. Vieth. The world is a little less bright without him in it. You will be missed.
I really don’t have the right words for Don’s passing. I’m just so thankful he was able to enjoy life so fully right up until the end. Your mom and dad were always so kind to both Ryan and me — they truly felt like family. I’ll always treasure the memories of holidays and the times at Lake Sherwood with the boys. Don had such a warm way of making everyone feel welcome. I’m so grateful Ryan had him as a grandfather, and we were both so blessed to have known him. Love all of you!
I first met Mr. Vieth in 1972 at Lafayette High School when I joined the Choir. He was so full of joy and love for music and for making us the best choir we could be. So many of us loved looking forward to that class every day. It was a magical hour away from the basic subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic.
Mr. Vieth encouraged me to join his smaller choral groups and pushed me to perform with the band when I was very nervous and shy about doing so. I am so grateful for that. It taught me how much fun singing and performing could be.
He also encouraged me to join the school musicals and I have wonderful memories of those as well. In particular, the musical “Oliver” sticks out in my mind
I really got to know, Mr. Vieth and his true faith in God through First Baptist Church Of Ellisville. His talent for leading choral groups, and his love of music, especially beautiful hymns, shined while he was there.
I am so sorry for the loss his loved ones feel now. However, he left us all with so many wonderful memories, and he is now in Heaven with the Lord. What a wonderful blessing!