David L. Thiele

David was born on August 11, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri and was the son of Norville Thiele and Mary Lou Sharp. His paternal grandparents, Mae and Dayton Thiele of Fredericktown, Missouri, played a significant role in his upbringing. David grew up surrounded by family, as his father, Norville, was one of eight siblings in the Thiele household.

He showed his musical talent and enthusiasm as a teenager by playing the organ and piano at the First Presbyterian Church of Fredericktown. David graduated from high school in 1956 and went on to study voice at Missouri Valley College, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education in 1960. During his time there, he was also a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He then earned a Master’s of Music at University of Missouri, Columbia in 1968.

David met his beloved wife of 65 years, Judy Cook, at church in Fredericktown. Their love for the Lord and Music brought them together and the two were married in 1960. It marked the start of a remarkable love story that brought three daughters, with the family singing together through life's highs and lows.

David’s investment in Christian service was exemplary: he became an elder at a young age while the family lived in Flat River, MO. While in Mattoon, IL, David served at the First Presbyterian Church as an elder, shared his lyrical tenor voice as a devoted choir member, teaching Sunday school, and in various committees of Christian Education as well as the Kemmerer Village Board.

David taught music at several schools in Missouri, then moved with the family for his longstanding career as a Band Director in Mattoon Community schools, Mattoon, IL where he taught Junior High Band at Central Junior High School (Go Yellow Jackets!) and then Elementary band prior to his retirement from teaching in 1996. He enjoyed teaching and impacted hundreds of students who were part of the Band program upholding the firm conviction that every child should have the opportunity to participate in music programs for success in life.

His care and commitment to his wife, children and family was evident to all. He will be remembered for his generous nature, positive outlook, and inspiring attitude toward life. He was sentimental and rarely forgot a birthday, anniversary, or important date of passage.

David lived with a progressive neuromuscular disease (Charcot- Marie- Tooth) and referred to himself as “one of Jerry’s kids.” And while the condition may have kept him apart from some activities, he took it all in stride and rarely expressed negativity about physical limitations. David ran to the loving arms of Jesus on August 27, 2025.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home starting at 1:00p.m., where family and friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until time of services. Burial will follow to Maple Hill Cemetery.

David is survived by his cherished wife, Judy Cook Thiele, along with his daughters and their spouses: Deborah McQuay (Kam) of Carmel, IN; Davi Kiley (Bill) of Plainfield, IN; and Heather Harris (Wes) of Plainfield, IN. Grandchildren Kendall McQuay (Mackenzie), Morgan Dyck (John), David Cole Stein, Rachel Harris, Anderson Harris, Juliana Harris, and Trey Harris. Great Grandson, Liam McQuay. Extended family includes his sister Judy Becker (Ted) and brother Deral Thiele (Brenda), and many other relatives in southeastern Missouri.

Donations may be made to The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) or Kemmerer Village Children’s Home in lieu of flowers.