David Guither

WALNUT — David L. Guither, 57, of Walnut passed away in his Walnut home Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Dave was born in Princeton on May 18, 1954, to Marvin and Evangeline Guither.

Dave was a 1972 graduate of Walnut High School and attended Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg where he lived with the Mack Glass family. He transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale, majoring in forestry.

He was united in marriage to Loudema Webb on July 15, 1979.

He led a concrete silo construction crew for eight years. He and his brother, Harry Guither, were co-owners of Guither Tree Service, in business since 1980, and the business has shops in Walnut and Princeton. Dave was also owner of the Alexander Park Restaurant in Princeton.

Dave was a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited and a member of the Princeton Game and Fish Club. He enjoyed fishing with family and friends, hunting waterfowl and all types of hunting, and lively card games with his family. He enjoyed traveling the world and visiting his family and grandchildren. Dave was often accompanied by his beloved dog, Buckshot, the hunting dog his daughters gave him.

Dave was a Tugmaster for Team Illinois for the annual Great River Tug Fest between Illinois and Iowa. Tug Fest is the only event in the United States that allows the Mississippi River to be closed down.

He was a member of Red Oak United Methodist Church where he was a trustee. In 1980, he was honored to participate when the trustees opened the 1919 new-addition church cornerstone, replacing the cornerstone after adding to artifacts dating back to 1858. Dave was a fifth-generation descendant of Henry Guither who was among the founders of Red Oak Church.

Dave was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by two daughters, Margo (Phillip) Mire of Jefferson City, Mo., and Jennie (Tim) Cruze of Sevierville, Tenn.; and four grandchildren, Andy Mire and Adam Mire of Jefferson City, Mo., and Timber Cruze and Cade Cruze of Sevierville, Tenn. He is also survived by his mother, Evangeline Guither of Walnut; three brothers, Jim (Nancy) Guither of Hudson, Kendall (Kathy) Guither of Walnut and Harry (Alice) Guither of Walnut; two sisters, Bonnie Guither of Tampa, Fla., and Melanie (Mike) Alwes of Normal; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.