David Kerns Criswell

David Kerns Criswell, M.D., passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, at the age of 92, surrounded by family at his winter home in Naples, Florida.
Dave was born on February 7, 1933, in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Beulah Kerns Criswell and Raymond McEntire Criswell. Dave attended and received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Northwestern University. It was during his time in medical school that he met Northwestern nursing student and his beloved wife of over 65 years, Judith Wendel Criswell. After a residency in Chicago, Dave and Judy moved north and Dave dedicated his professional life to helping others as an obstetrician and gynecologist working at the Beloit Clinic and Beloit Memorial Hospital in a career that spanned well over fifty years. Dave had traits that made him an exceptional doctor: a keen intellect; a deep compassion for his patients; a calmness during any crisis; a humble, quiet integrity; a sly sense of humor; and a winning smile. Throughout his time in Beloit, the refrain "Dr. (or Doc) Criswell delivered my baby" was frequently heard around town. When he stopped delivering babies, the Beloit Daily News published a story with the headline "8,000 is Enough". Dave truly loved practicing medicine and the relationships he built with his colleagues and patients.
Dave gave back to the Beloit community over his long career and had a strong commitment to public service. In addition to his medical practice, Dave served on the Beloit School Board and the Board of Directors of the Beloit Clinic where he was instrumental in facilitating the move from the old Westside location to the Clinic's current location on Huebbe Parkway. Dave and Judy raised their children on East Ridge Road along Turtle Creek in Beloit except for a brief journey to Indianapolis where Dave served in the U.S. Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison (and Judy gave birth to their fourth child on base) during the late 1960's. Upon his retirement, and in recognition of his impact on the stateline area, Dave was recognized in 2013 with the "Headliner Award" presented by the Beloit Daily News. When he wasn't at the Clinic or the Hospital, Dave could often be found on the links at the Beloit Country Club. Dave had a passion for golf-Tuesdays meant his Men's Day foursome filled with great friends over the years. He had a hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Country Club. He and Judy enjoyed playing at courses across the country: Pebble Beach, Kohler, Pinehurst, and those in and around Naples, Florida, among others.
Dave will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Judy Criswell; children, Anne (David) Boccignone, David (Linda) Criswell, Margaret (Phillip) McDonnell, and Robert (Eun Lee) Criswell; grandchildren, Michael Boccignone, Leah Boccignone, Benjamin (Annie Rohlf) Criswell, Elizabeth Criswell, Matthew McDonnell, Claire McDonnell, Luke McDonell, Thomas Criswell, Teddy Criswell, Dae Lee and Eden Lee. Dave is also survived by beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews (the sons, daughters and grandchildren of sister, Elizabeth Watson and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Pat Wendel).
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elizabeth Watson.
A memorial service for Dave will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025, at The Beloit Club, 2327 Riverside Dr., Beloit, WI. A Visitation of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beloit Health System Foundation. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Kerns Criswell, please visit our floral store.