David Charles Gau, 86, of Galesburg, died at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at home surrounded by family.
He was born October 3, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Roy and Helen M. (Miller) Gau. He married Jane Klemm on January 6, 1957, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Jane; children, Linda D. (the late Joe) Morrissey, David Douglas (Kelly) Gau, and Julie D. (Tom) Knapp, all of Galesburg; six grandchildren, Amanda J. (Hugo Herrera) Morrissey-Herrera, Nicholas (Sara) Morrissey, Alexandra Gau (Josh White), Lauren Gau (Andy Van Buskirk), Chelsea (FJ) Minor, and Johnathan Knapp; one great grandson, William Van Buskirk; sisters-in-law, Vicki (Roger) Ryan and Kay (Bill) Lapsey; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Shirley Mason.
David was a firefighter with the City of Galesburg for 27 years before retiring on April 20, 1992. He had also worked at Trimble’s Small Animal Hospital and Ferris Furniture. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955 and continued to live in Galesburg his entire life.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Retired Firefighters Association, and the Elks Lodge #894. He enjoyed taking trips to Las Vegas to gamble. David enjoyed playing cards, especially Pitch, boating on the Mississippi River, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and wine making. He was a real family man who loved his family and enjoyed every minute with them. He also enjoyed visiting his family and numerous cousins in Dubuque. David will be remembered as a real “do it yourself guy” who could fix anything. He was patient and kind.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Glen Bocox officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Firefighters Association of Galesburg or OSF Hospice. Online condolences for the family may be left on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
