Donald Joe "Donnie" Mayes, 74, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri.

Donnie was born on February 12, 1952, in Hannibal, Missouri, the son of George Kenneth and Betty Darlene Goodnight Mayes.

He graduated from the South Shelby High School in the Class of 1970 and continued his education at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice in 1974.

On August 19, 1972, in Shelbyville, Missouri, Donnie married Cheryl Ann McSorley and to this union two children were born.

Donnie began his career as a police officer, during college, working at NMSU Safety and Security and after graduation he worked at the Shelbina Police Department. In 1981 he accepted the Chief of Police with the Edina Police Department and served the community for 16 years.

He was an avid hunter, was a founder of the NEMO Bow and Gun Club, served on the original Knox County Cornfest Committee, worked with the Conservation Gun Safety as an instructor, and raised English Setter bird dogs.

Donnie is survived by his wife of more than 53 years, Cheryl Mayes of Edina, Missouri; a daughter, Jill and Todd Arnold of Hannibal, Missouri; a son Jeff and Jessica Mayes of Ewing, Missouri; two brothers, Kenny and Jo Mayes of Liberty, Missouri, and Bill and Susan Mayes of Lentner, Missouri; a sister, Julia Dee Ridge of Hartselle, Alabama; six grandchildren, Sierra, Leigha, Connor, Jay, Raygan, and Natalie; two great grandchildren, Nova Leigh, and Valkyrie; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Darlene Mayes; and a brother-in-law, Ron Ridge.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. Sunday until service time at the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Shelbina Cemetery in Shelbina, Missouri.

An expression of sympathy in memory of Donnie Mayes may be left to the NEMO Bow and Gun Club. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.