David E. Scheiter

David Ernst Scheiter, 86, passed away at 8:34 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2024, in Schenectady, New York, where he moved earlier in the year to be closer to family. It was a very peaceful end of days, spending time with his relatives reliving "the good 'ol days" and even making some new memories before leaving this world.

David was born April 25, 1938, in Mount Olive, Illinois, to Ernest and Ruby Scheiter. His family moved to Alton, Illinois, when David was still quite young, where his father, Ernie "Sax" Scheiter, ran and owned a local grocery store. As a young boy, David tore up the streets of Alton with his bicycle, putting baseball cards in the spokes for that authentic motorcycle sound and playing stickball with his friends. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in economics and a minor in history.

In the early 1970s, David and his wife, Marie, moved to Washington, Missouri, where they raised their family and made lifelong friends. David was a pillar of the community, a faithful member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), and a deeply loyal and loving son, brother, uncle, father, and husband. He was an avid bowler who was proud of his 185-bowling average. He enjoyed gardening and yard work, making his lawn the envy of the neighborhood. He was an excellent card player, whether it was playing Bridge with friends, Pinochle with his nephews, or Uno with his kids and grandkids. As a film buff, David appreciated multiple genres, from Sergio Leone's Spaghetti westerns to Ridley Scott's Alien; many a movie night was spent with family watching the classics. One of his favorite pastimes was playing records on his 1960s stereo console, featuring the Rat Pack, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, as well as the classical music of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. His kids have fond memories of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture booming throughout the house and the smooth sounds of Sinatra playing over the radio while driving in the van on family vacations. He loved art, history museums, live theater, and the symphony. He always looked forward to going out to dinner with family and friends, almost as much as he loved having everyone over to his house for his infamous barbecue spareribs. He had an enormous laugh, a kind heart, and a strong moral compass. Everyone in the family has multiple stories of David helping out someone in need. He is dearly loved and will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

David is survived by his children, Krisanna Scheiter (husband Ulysses Chen), of Schenectady, NY, and Jonathan (wife Stacy Lurtz and their three children: Adaline, Jackson, and Maximus), of Republic, MO; his nephew, Justin Scheiter (wife Linda), of Godfrey, IL; and his nephew, Bradford Scheiter (wife Tammy), of Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Ruby Scheiter; his brother, Donald Scheiter; and his wife, Marie A. Scheiter (n?e Oldham). Marie passed 18 months earlier, just before their 55th wedding anniversary. He loved her very much, and the family is consoled to know they are reunited in their next life.