David D. "Dave" Wythers

A Memorial Service for Dave will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Geneva, Nebraska with Kim Dunker presiding. A Book Signing will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 with family present from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Graveside Services will be held following the Memorial Service at the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date in Dave's name. David Dean Wythers was born to Beverly Heston Wythers Wright and James Wythers on October 22, 1953 at York General Hospital, York, NE, and passed away June 4, 2024 at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln, NE at the age of 70 years old. He was one of five children in the family. He grew up on the family farm near Geneva/Fairmont, NE and lived in York, NE and Lincoln, NE when first married and returned to live on the family farm 15 years later where he lived the remainder of his life. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1971 and began attending Nebraska Wesleyan University after high school and excelled in track and completed a Master’s degree in Counseling in 1981 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Dave worked as a counselor at the Nebraska Commission for the Visually Impaired, Lincoln, NE; the Youth Development Center, Geneva, NE; Fillmore County’s Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program, Geneva, NE and finally Blue Valley Mental Health Center, Geneva, NE. He had been retired for the past 19 years. Dave was married to Marcy Jirkovsky of Geneva, NE in 1972 and to them a son was born on October 23, 1972, Chad James Wythers. They later divorced. Dave married Jeanie Zink-Wythers on September 7, 1990 and they became the proud parents of Gabrielle Janellen Wythers, born October 11, 1994 and Daniel Chad Wythers, born October 29, 1994 and were born in Paraguay, South America. Dave endured and rose above numerous medical adversities in life but was very humble and private about them. He survived sarcoma at the age of 20 with the amputation of his leg and the constant accompanying phantom pain throughout his life and in the last few years of his life he dealt with other very difficult medical issues. He was always an optimistic, gentle and genuine person who loved people and people loved him. He was courageous and strong. Dave had many interests and hobbies but by far he loved his family, the farm, his cows, his pets and people. He loved “puttering” around the farm as was always working on his tractors and being with his cows as would often be seen scratching them with his crutches. He loved conservation of the farm ground as believed in giving back to the environment by conservation practices, planting trees and creating animal habitats. He loved 4-H from the time he was a young boy to his death as was involved throughout his life with the kids’ projects in 4-H and FFA. He was a gifted woodworker and loved making wood pieces for others. He was involved in many church and organizational activities as was actively involved with the Congregational United Church of Christ, Geneva, NE as a trustee, Sunday school teacher and all around volunteer. He was actively involved in organizations related to his work in Diversion services and other community services to help those with mental health and substance use disorder problems. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Beverly Wythers Wright and James Wythers, his step-father, Norman Wright, his grandparents, his brother and sister-in-law, Steve & Mary Wythers, Chad’s mom, Marcy and his niece Casey Edgar. Dave is survived by his wife, Jeanie, his sons/spouse, Chad Wythers & Sierra Crees, Seward, NE; grandchildren, McKenzie and Owen Wythers of Columbus, NE; Dan Wythers, San Francisco, CA; daughter/spouse, Gabrielle & Ryan Naber, Lincoln, NE; brothers, Mark Wythers, Geneva, NE, Todd Wythers, Geneva, NE; sister/spouse, Kellee & Billy Neville, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Walt and Carol Zink, Lincoln, NE and sister-in-law, Jan Zink, Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and their children: Conly & Kate Wythers, Reed, Mauve, Omaha, NE; Micah & Casey Wythers, Triston, Roe, Emerson, Scottsdale, AZ, Jana & Smedley Butler, Conrad, Lenox, Joan, Omaha, NE, Nicole & John Huber, Grayson, Olathe, KS. He is survived by his many special and close cousins and their families.

Tributes

David D. "Dave" Wythers

October 22, 1953 - June 4, 2024