David Lauer, 72, of Jacksonville, FL formerly of Troy, IL, was born November 5, 1953, in Highland, IL and he passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at his home in Jacksonville, FL.
David was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his family and always worked hard to take care of them. A retired electrician, he was celebrated for completing 35 years at Granite City Steel. He could repair/fix almost anything whether it was household, mechanical, or a grandchild’s beloved toy and was always happy to, pouring himself into each project.
He always made time for his children and grandchildren to play games or do a puzzle together, and he loved to read to his grandbabies. He would excitedly write down “Dad Jokes” so that he could tell them to his grandkids as soon as he would get a chance. He loved to make them laugh. He enjoyed taking his family to air shows and he absolutely adored lighting fireworks with his family each Independence Day without fail. He was a simple, quiet man who did not require anything grand. He was happy to simply be together with his family. To his family, his smile always lit up the room.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Phyllis (nee Hampson) Lauer and his brother Phillip A. Lauer.
Surviving is his wife, Lili (nee Skeens) Lauer of Orange Park, FL; his children, Danielle “Dani” (Travis) Hayes of Orange Park, FL, Gabrielle (Harley) Ferris of Findlay, OH and Sean (Gwen) Lauer of Fernandina Beach, FL; grandchildren, Noah, Jonathan and Aster Ferris, Grant, Chloe and Evie Hayes; Mother-in-law, Gladys (nee Faitz) Skeens of Middleburg, FL; and his sisters, Brenda Voyles of Houston, TX and Elizabeth (Roger) Larson of Albuquerque, NM.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com.
Visitation for David will be 10 am to 11 am on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Troy, IL.
Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Troy, IL with Rev. Tim Harrison officiating. Interment will be in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, IL.
