Dale M. David, age 80, of Belleville, Il, born in East St. Louis, IL on September 11, 1944, died on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
If our dad was writing this, he would say he died of a “Thursday.” Our father lived a wonderful life, getting his incomparable work ethic from his father, Ralph and his love of social justice from his mother, Ruth.
Dad married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Ann “Punky” Luebbers in 1966. Shortly after their marriage, and inspired by President John F. Kennedy, Jr., they joined the Peace Corps. They served in Guatemala, building schools and working in medical clinics until 1969.
Upon their return home, our parents moved to the country outside of Freeburg, IL. Together, they successfully operated the family trucking company, David Hauling Company, Inc. They took joy in raising their children and living a country life, living farm-to-table before it was trendy. They enjoyed dancing, vacationing on Jekyll Island, spending time with friends, and watching their grandchildren grow.
Dad was preceded in death by our mom and his beloved wife, Mary Ann “Punky” David; parents, Ralph and Ruth, nee Gassner, David; brothers, Gary and Terry David. He is survived by his children, Dale M. David II of Collinsville, IL, and Julie C. David (Matthew Conover) of St. Louis, MO; and his grandchildren, Taylor David, Gabby David, Tess David, Andrew David, and Paul David-Justus (Michaela); sisters, Mary Klumb of St. Louis, MO and Kathleen Johnson of Navarre, FL.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
A private family Celebration of Life will be held. Our dad would not want this to be a time of sorrow. He would want friends and family to gather and share an ice cold Stag beer and light up a good cigar to toast a life well lived. He left us a wonderful legacy.
