Dave Lynn Thieman, born June 9, 1947, in Denver, Colo.; departed this life on Feb. 23, 2025, at his home in Springfield, Mo. at the age of 77 years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lionel Thieman and Pauline Smithart, brother Larry Thieman and his son William Eric Thieman.
He is survived by his spouse, Ruth Thieman of the home; his daughters, DaNita Schaaf and spouse Jay of Buffalo, Mo., Julie Clark and spouse Rick of Lebanon, Mo., Melony Thieman of Lebanon, Mo. and Courtney Gann and spouse Matt of Springfield, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Emily Wilson and significant other J.R. Grahl, Crystal Thompson and significant other Wes Bybee, William Thieman, Jesse Wilson, Lukas Gann, Piper Gann, and Mattie Gann; great-grandchildren, Riley, Brinleigh, Caspin and Dan; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
He lived a long life, having traveled a lot through childhood and adulthood and having lived in several states, including Colorado, Alaska, Las Vegas, Nevada, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri.
He worked most of his life as a ceiling installer which he took great pride in. He installed suspended ceilings in several large cities, including K.C., and Memphis. His last several years he owned his own business doing ceilings for hospitals and schools, including Camdenton High School before he retired.
He enjoyed fishing, which he and Ruth did often in earlier years. Then later was happy when he could fish with his children and grandchildren. Other interests included bowling, golf, computer games, target shooting, strumming around on guitar, collecting narrow gauge trains (and once had a large set). He was a craftsman, who enjoyed building things such as furniture, and even built an igloo by packing coolers with snow to form blocks. He also liked to do leather work and made belts, wallets and pipe holders, and often was complimented on his work.
He was pretty strictly a country music fan and would put on head phones to listen to his music and drown out the rock and Pink Floyd when riding in the car with Ruth and kids. He did, however have a stint of disco, and even took lessons for disco dancing. He was quite good at it.
Perhaps his favorite thing in his latter years was enjoying his grandchildren.
He had a firm belief in God, and was saved and baptized as a young adult. He was a member of Stoutland Baptist Church. He spoke often of being prepared to go to heaven and was not afraid of dying.
During one of his last hospitalizations, he discussed his wishes to donate his body to science. His wish was fulfilled through the Genesis program and he will be in the care of the Medical Education and Research Institute in Memphis, Tenn. for the next six months to a year. After that, his cremation remains will be returned to the family. He will be missed by many.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
