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David Gather Leon Costley

1954 - 2023

BORN

1954

DIED

2023

David Costley Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for David Gather Leon Costley
Start: 2023-02-19T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-02-19T22:30:00.000Z
Location: Salt Fork Center at Homer Lake

URBANA - David Gather Leon Costley, 68, of Urbana has gone hunting with his beloved yellow lab, Gus. Dave passed away Tuesday (Feb. 14, 2023) at home, of natural causes.

He was born Sept. 16, 1954, the son of Ralph and Barbara "Carol" (Philbeck) Costley. He married Deena Spillers on Sept. 26, 1974.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deena (Spillers); only daughter, Tricia (Mike) McKee; father, Ralph; brother, Daniel Costley; and sister, Debra Costley.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol.

Dave was a lifelong Urbana resident and a man who followed his passions. He became an auto mechanic in his 20s because of his love of cars and built and raced his own dragster. He began racing BMX bicycles and left mechanics to open Wild Thang Cycles, an Urbana cycling institution for over 20 years. When Dave revived his childhood hobbies of shooting and hunting, he left bicycle retail and opened the store you know as Dave's Firearms while he and his wife became avid sporting clays shooters, traveling the Midwest to competitions.

Dave was a talented shooter who won and placed in numerous shooting competitions at the state and national level. A former cyclist, he also coached many competition athletes in both the cycling and took many new shooters under his wing. He was a father figure to many of the young men and women he'd coached over his 45-plus years in sports and provided both shooters, cyclists and skateboarders with a haven to call their second home.

Dave was a current member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Illinois Sporting Clays Association, a member of the St. Joe Sportsman's club for 25-plus years - several of which he served on the board - and a Master Mason. In 2011, he was inducted into the Illinois Sporting Clays Association Hall of Fame in 2011, and in 2003, he was a member of the National Sporting Clays Association All-State team.

Dave was also a talented bicycle frame designer who was one of the founders of the Badd & Company BMX bicycle line. He rode for many years and was one of the two organizers of the Illinois State Criterium Championship. He was elected and served as the BMX Illinois State commissioner in the '80s as well as coached local cyclists to many state championships.

Above all, Dave was a husband and father. He loved jawing with his friends, talking a little smack, dove hunting with Gus and his wife, and spending time trading friendly jabs with his daughter and son-in-law. He loved talking cars, watching Formula One racing, the NHRA and Street Outlaws, and the Tour de France every year.

Dave was a polarizing personality. He was simply larger than life. And he still owes me $20.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Salt Fork Center at Homer Lake, 2573 S. Homer Lake Road, Homer.

In lieu of flowers, Deena and Tricia ask that memorials are made to the Champaign County Humane Society or the American Diabetes Association. Evergreen Cremation Services is assisting the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette on Feb. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for David Costley

17 Entries

Bobby Ward

February 10, 2025

Just last week I went through Mayview on my way to St. Joe and went past the old shop. Immediately my Herat was in my throat and tears welled up in my eyes. Of course the wealth of memories of the times Dave and I spent together came flooding back. And if you know Dave as well as I did you know that I smiled and laughed a lot. Dave and I would argue and fight (good naturedly) like two little kids. One night at St. Joe while shooting skeet, a stranger went into the clubhouse and told the manager: "You better get out here, there are two guys gonna kill one another!" Steve looked out and laughed and said: "Oh that´s just Dave and Bobby." We had fierce battles on the skeet field and my mission in life became beating Dave just once shooting skeet. A goal I have to admit I NEVER achieved to his great joy and satisfaction! One night I was shooting extremely well and I sensed an upset in the making. I wasn´t even paying attention to how well Dave was shooting. When we got to the final station I Missed one and as Dave prepared to shoot he handed me two shells and told me to keep them? He walked out and broke the first target, put his gown on his shoulder and started to walk away..I looked at him and said: You´ve got 2 more targets to shoot.." he smiled and said: "Nope, I only needed that one to beat you....."

I miss my friend terribly. I am forever blessed in having met him and coming to know Dena and Tricia and Daves best friend Gus. In reliving our best times together the pain is sharp knowing he is gone and the meaning of the word "bittersweet" is a harsh reminder of the finality of life. I am fond of a piece from the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar Act 5 Scene 1. Two Roman warriors/friends going in different directions to battle, Brutus to Cassius: "Forever and farewell Cassius, if we do meet again why, then we shall smile. If not, then this parting was well made."

So good bye my friend Dave.....until we meet again on the skeet field, I hope our parting was well made.

Matt Verhoff

March 11, 2023

Condolences to Deena, Trish and Mike. You lost one of the best. Dave was one of the most generous people I've known. Like so many others posting here, he took me in and gave me direction. He was available for sage advice with a laugh and always kept you grounded. I'm truly grateful for all he did for me. He used his connections to get me a great job that brought me back to CU for just a little longer. For the trips to the velodrome in Indy, dog sitting Oreilly (Dan Verner the dog), bumper bikes, hanging in the shop with Bob Ford. Any ride worth doing started at Wild Thang and for good reasons. The community that surrounded him reflected his fun loving and generous nature, thanks to you all. Dave, you will be greatly missed.

Mark Barnett

February 26, 2023

Dave was truly one of a kind. Growing up Dave provided a much needed haven for me and many of my friends. He helped me in so many ways, and I will always remember him fondly. He was always there to lend a hand or give me a good kick in the rear when needed. He could be gruff on the outside, but truly had a heart of gold. He looked after our large group of young bike riders like a father. He had a big influence on me and so many others at an important time in our lives. I will miss you Dave.

--Mark Barnett

Leslie Winters

February 22, 2023

So sorry to hear of Dave´s passing much too soon. I knew him when i was a cyclist and student in CU in the late 80´s and early 90´s when he ran the Wild Thang bike shop. He was a very friendly person with a lot of different interests that he turned into successful businesses. I think he was a race car mechanic before he came to CU, then got into BMX, road and track cycling, mountain biking, and then shooting sports and a gun shop. Beneath his seemingly gruff exterior i think he was a kind and caring person that made a positive difference in the community. He will be missed.

Christopher Petty

February 22, 2023

Dave was a treasure to the cycling community in Illinois. Kind hearted and generous to the core. Many lives were enriched, including mine, through his generosity of spirit, sponsorship and friendship.

Steve Stanley

February 21, 2023

I met Dave in 2008 when i moved back to Urbana and discovered his gun shop in Mayview. Being Retired Army, I wanted to start getting into big caliber firearms. Over the next 14 years Dave became a friend and mentor as to which guns I should buy and I loved hanging out at his shop with that beautiful dog Gus. I was shocked to hear of his passing but I know, as a pastor, he and Gus are together forever with the Lord. So until we meet again for eternity, I will miss a great friend and be reminded of the times spent at your shop. Condolences to your family. Until we meet you again it´s been an honor to know you. RIP

Robert Frank

February 20, 2023

Dave was one of a kind for sure. He did mean allot to the C-U cycling scene of the late 80´s. So many good times with Costley, Barnet bros, Petty, Fritz, Siemens´. He made C-U and those around him better. Missed already!

Randy Meyers

February 19, 2023

Thank you for your years of professional and knowledgeable services..bought my first semiautomatic 9mm from your shop..thank you Dave! You´ll be missed!

Michael "Cincinnati Mike" Conlin

February 19, 2023

Rest in Peace Dave! You're were one of the very best. You were a father figure and a mentor for many young men. You had a remarkable warmness of heart. You will be missed and never forgotten.

Laura and Gary Brinkley

February 19, 2023

We will miss his expertise and gentle wit

Rosemary Jobst Puzey

February 19, 2023

I´m so sorry for your loss. Dave was very kind to me when I spoke with him about my own Dad´s passing this past December. I appreciated his kind words and reminiscing. I sure understand the pain and sorrow you are feeling. I´ll be praying for comfort and strength for you all during this difficult time. Rosemary Jobst - Puzey

James Senneff (The Jakill)

February 17, 2023

This was hard news to hear and my heart goes out to Deena, Tricia, Mike and the rest of Dave's family. Dave was a huge part of the C-U cycling scene in the 90s and Wild Thang was the place to be. Dave helped us young guys, listened to our nonsense with a chuckle, and called us on our BS. It was a special time for sure, with a cast of characters (with goofy nicknames) and I was lucky to be a part of it. I´m still riding the 1998 Litespeed Natchez that Dave built for me. Dave was the role model we needed, a great husband and father who loved his family above all else. I´m glad we got to reconnect on those lunches with Pat Ford so many years ago, to talk about the good old days and prove that we all turned out OK. On the wall of my classroom I´ve hung a sign for 25 years, one of Dave´s favorite quotes, "If you´d listen, you´d know!" Thanks for everything, Dave!

Gary Doering

February 17, 2023

Rest In Peace my old friend. You were a top notch race promoter and excellent at the clays. I will think of Dave every time I attend bicycle races or at the shooting range.

Josh Barnett (of the Barnyard Brothers)

February 17, 2023

I knew Dave back in the late 80s and 90s. My parents had divorced and I was getting into Bike Racing. Dave was like a father figure to me. I spent countless hours at Wild Thangs Cycles shooting the breeze (so many of us did) and hanging out. Dave gave me deals on cycling equipment that I had no business asking for. He was that kind of guy. My love of cycling is in a large part because of Dave. If you were lucky enough to know Dave, you know just how generous he was and what a heart of gold he had. There are people in your life that shape who you are, and Dave is one of those people to me. God Bless you Dave, you were one of the good ones.

Tim Harper

February 17, 2023

I always enjoyed doing business with Dave. Like many, after I retired, stopping at the shop once a week became a ritual. We enjoyed giving ea other a hard time. I've missed those times since moving away. My condolences to his family and friends. Dave will be greatly missed.

Steve Warsaw

February 17, 2023

Was a customer for over 20 years and remember Gus also.Always treated me well and fair.
With all respect to the family at this time of greif.
Steve Warsaw

Bobby Ward

February 16, 2023

I struggle to find the words that would express my deep and profound sadness at the passing of my friend Dave. I knew Dave for 35 years having first met him at his business Wild Thang Bicycle shop. He later got involved in clay target sports and opened a gun store in Urbana which he later moved to Mayview. We shot a lot of targets together and shared a ton of laughs. Dave was a loving husband to wife Deena and father to Tricia. They were his universe. He was a good man and better friend always willing to help someone in need. Losing our friends is a very difficult thing but this one is going to sting for a very long time. Sail high and free my friend. We´ll meet again someday. See you in camp at sundown.......

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