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David Lillard Obituary

LABELLE, Mo. -- David Simms Lillard, 54, of LaBelle, died Wednesday (June 18, 2008) in his residence south of LaBelle. He was born Nov. 23, 1953, in Akron, Ohio, a son of David Henry and Mardel L. Lofsted Lillard. On April 29, 1978, in Kansas City, Mo., he was united in marriage to Beverly Parsons. David graduated from high school at Shawnee Mission East in Prairie Village, Kan., and also graduated from William Jewell College and Kansas State University. David was engaged in farming south of LaBelle for over 20 years. He was a member of the LaBelle Masonic Lodge 222 A.F. & A.M., LaBelle Baptist Church, was a past Lewis County C-1 school board member, a board member of the Lewis County Airport Authority, a board member of LaBelle Manor Care Center and Wider Opportunities in LaBelle. He was a fan of the Kansas State University Wildcats, a licensed pilot, and 100 percent pure cowboy. He loved horses, fly fishing and being a dad. Surviving are his wife, Beverly Lillard of LaBelle; two daughters, Rachel Lynn Lillard and fiancé, Stephen Downy, of Prescott, Ariz., and Heather Marie Lillard of Prescott; his parents, David and Mardel Lillard of Prairie Village; two sisters, Diane L. Gwirtz and husband, Jeffrey of Manhattan, Kan., and Sandra G. Lillard of Columbia, and one niece and one nephew, Mandy and Kyle Gwirtz. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jack L. Lillard, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle. Burial will be in LaBelle Cemetery. VISITATION: 4-8 p.m. today in the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle. Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. conducted by LaBelle Lodge 222 A.F. & A.M. MEMORIALS: Expressions of sympathy in memory of David Simms Lillard may be made to LaBelle Baptist Church or Wider Opportunities. They may be left at or mailed to Coder Funeral Chapel P. O. Box 151, LaBelle, MO 63447. ARRANGEMENTS: Coder Funeral Chapel, LaBelle. Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.
Published by Herald-Whig from Jun. 20 to Jun. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for David Lillard

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14 Entries

Barbara Rohlfing Gokenbach

July 8, 2008

Dear Lillard Family,
I am so saddened by the news of David's death. I will always re-
member the great times we had together with everyone from the youth group as teens and am really glad some of us were able to reunite three years ago. David was a wonderful guy and I'm happy to have known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.

Jim Bauman

July 6, 2008

Bev, Diane Safranek called us and told us the sad news. It brought back happy memories of our friendship and days gone by at Farmland where Dave and I worked together, when we went on the trail ride in the Ozarks and take our motorcycles on Sunday afternoon rides. You truly have Cindy and my sympathy.

Diane and Ron Safranek

July 3, 2008

Dear Bev and girls: It was just yesterday I was cleaning old photo albums and boxes of old Christmas cards. There were many photos of the Lillards when you lived in NE. I got to wondering where you were living so I "googled" your name and David's obituary came up. We couldn't believe it. We know it has been years since we exchanged Christmas cards, but we talk about you often. You were both so very special to us. Please accept our sincere sympathy at this time of loss. We hope you will contact us. We'd love to hear from you. God Bless you and your family.

Ron and Diane Safranek, Crete, NE

Lowell and Carol Thurman

June 28, 2008

Dear Dave and Mardel,

We were sorry to learn of David's untimely passing. Please accept our condolences and know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

We shall be making a donation in David's memory to LaBelle Baptist Church.

Hunter Lott

June 26, 2008

Dear Lillard Family,

It was with great sorrow that I learned of David's passing.

We attended the same church and shared many happy experiences with the youth group. As 15 year olds, David, Steve, John and I would sit around a table, smoke cigars and play cards at the Pastor's house. We thought we were pretty cool.

Though I lost touch with David while we were still in our teens, reading David's accomplishments and his love for his family is very much in keeping with my memory of him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Lillard family.

Susie Rabuck (Skinner)

June 24, 2008

Dearest Lillard Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of David's passing. Even though so many years have passed it seems like just yesterday that we enjoyed life together. My memory of David is a truly good one and I know that I have been enriched thanks to his presence in my life. I am so glad for our "reunion" a few years ago and I will forever be grateful for the bond created at church and beyond. My thoughts and prayers of gratitude will include my friend and his family for years to come. Susie Skinner Rabuck.

Teri Wear

June 24, 2008

Dear Beverly, Rachel, and Heather

I can't express how sorry I am for your loss. No words will soften the impact to your family, just know you are surrounded by wonderful friends and family and are in our thoughts and prayers in your time of need.

David L. Woolpert

June 23, 2008

Dear Lillard Family.....
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the entire family.....
I feel that I have lost a true friend and brother.

David and I go way back to childhood days! I remember going to his house and playing "cowboys and indians" with David. Even then all he could talk about was wanting to be a cowboy and farmer and continue the work on his families farm!!...He truly did live his dream!!

We always had fun with the church youth group and what fun we had on our summer trips with the group.....
Then there was the Sunday night we got questioned by the Prairie Village police because we were sitting in the bank parking lot eating McDonald's french fries....David was in the back seat with "his date"......since I was the only one that could drive!

He and I enjoyed being "college rivials" when he was at Jewell and I was at Missouri Valley....we enjoyed many football games on each other campus.

I remember the day he called to tell me that he had just bought "his first car" and what a fun car it was!!

In recent years while "out paths did not cross" as often as when we were younger.....I still thought of him and his family often. In July 2005 when some of us had a "church youth group reunion" it was like "we have never been apart for the 30 plus years"......

The world lost a wonderful man last week..... David will be truly missed by all......

Robert Kennedy

June 22, 2008

Dave, Mardel and family

I was deeply saddened to learn of your great loss. Our families go back for so many years. Our families were friends at the CCCC when we first came to KC and our friendship spans 50 years. You are in my thoughts and prayers through this extremely difficult time. Bob Kennedy

Kae (Kennedy) Kesler

June 21, 2008

To Dave, Mardel, Diane, and Sandy:
I was shocked and greatly sadden to learn of Dave's passing. It seems like just yesterday we were in Youth Group and Sunday School together at CCCC. I am sorry I never met his family, but it nice to know he leaves a legacy of two daughters. I can only imagine how difficult this time must be for all of you. My prayers are with you.

Kae (Kennedy) Kesler

June 21, 2008

To Big Dave, Mardel, Diane, and Sandy:
I was surprised and greatly sadden to learn of Dave's passing. It seems like just yesterday we were in Youth Group and Sunday School together at CCCC. I am sorry I never met his family, but it nice to know he left a legacy of two daughters. I can only imagine how difficult this time must be for all of you. My prayers are with you.

Jackie (Kendrick) McGinness

June 21, 2008

Dear Bev, Rachel, and Heather,

I was so sad to hear news of David. I know that he and my dad have been so close for many years. My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with all of you right now.

Jackie McGinness (Kendrick)

Todd, Mary Lou & Mindy Cole

June 20, 2008

Dear Bev, Rachel, and Heather,

So sorry to hear of your loss. We have many wonderful memories of David and your family.....from Parents as Teachers, to Betty and Gene's and a lot of fun at softball games! Hang on to those wonderful memories and laugh....they get you through the tough times. You are all in our prayers. God Bless,

Todd, Mary Lou and Mindy Cole

Clay Shelby

June 20, 2008

I am proud to have known David Lillard, and proud to have counted him as a friend. My condolences to his family.

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