DAVID LEE STODDARD

1953 - 2009

David Lee Stoddard, 56, of DeKalb, Ill. passed away Friday, March 6, 2009, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Ill., following a vehicle accident on Feb. 25, 2009.

Born Jan. 9, 1953, in DeKalb, he was the son of Kenneth U. and Dorothy W. (Willrett) Stoddard of Malta.

David was active in little league, Boy Scouts and 4-H and won the title of Reserved Grand Champion one year. He was active in the Methodist youth group, junior choir and various activities and projects. He was confirmed in the Malta Methodist Church. Dave loved music and participated in chorus, played the drums in band and the bassoon in the orchestra. Later, he was involved with the Kish-Wau-Keys Barbershoppers, where he volunteered to transpose some music to better suit the singers' voices.

He was also active and competitive in basketball and track, and even broke some school records. Dave graduated from Malta High School, and was a "walk on" in track at the University of Illinois. He was a member of the AGR fraternity. Dave volunteered in Malta summer youth programs. He was a former Malta Lions member and helped with the golf tournament as well as many other projects. After moving to DeKalb, he became involved with DeKalb Elks. He served as a judge on the Elks scholarship projects. He was a past Exalted Ruler.

David married Cheri Colbert of DeKalb on Aug. 3, 1973, and later married Sandra Sauceman of DeKalb on Jan. 15, 1983. When his uncle was involved in a farm accident and was unable to continue farming, David came back to Malta to farm. While doing so, he completed his senior year at Northern Illinois University and graduated from the University of Illinois. He farmed in partnership with his father. Later, he worked for Gary Kuhn Construction. In his adult life, he enjoyed golfing, reading and traveling when he could. Recently, he was employed at Illinois River Energy Ethanol Plant in Rochelle. He found it a challenge to help develop it and increase production.

He is survived by his two sons, Micah Jay and Clinton Andrew Stoddard, both of DeKalb; his parents; his brother, Jim (Marcia) Stoddard of Sycamore; his sister, Nancy (Tom) Plote of Malta; his friend and mother of his sons, Sandra Stoddard; nieces, nephews and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Nathan Wayne Stoddard; his grandparents, Ira Merle and Anna (Uphoff) Stoddard, George Willrett, Caroline (Rueff) Willrett, and Dorothy (Banfield) Willrett Montgomery.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 9, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Malta United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Vaughn officiating. Burial will follow services at Malta Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 8, 2009 from 3-6 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established for David Lee Stoddard in care of the Anderson Funeral Home, Ltd., P.O. Box 605, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, call Anderson Funeral Home at 815-756-1022.