David Cornell

David Cornell, 66 of Minden Nebraska, formerly of St. Charles, IL, died Monday, October 20, 2003 at the Bethany Home, Minden, NE. Surrounded by the love and prayers of family and loved one’s far and wide, David passed away peacefully after many years of living courageous with a chronic lung condition.David was born July 7, 1937 in St. Charles, IL, the sixth of seven children born to Isaac Jerome and Katherine Bernice (Johnsen) Cornell. Following graduation from St. Charles High School with the class of 1956, David enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served his country from 1957 to 1959. He was united in marriage to Ruth Tosten on August 18, 1962 in Geneva, IL and they were blessed with two children, Sandra Kay and Rodney David. Through the years, they made their home in Minneapolis MN, Portland, OR and Des Moines, IA before returning to St. Charles where David worked as a baker for Duncan Donuts for many years. Forced to retire due to poor health, he and Ruth moved to Minden, NE in 1986 to be near their son, Rod, who made his home in nearby Kearney, NE. While in Minden, David worked for a time for the Village Bowl and also helped out at the Terminal Cafe’. Together, David and Ruth enjoyed traveling home to Illinois whenever possible to visit their daughter, Sandra and other family members as well as attending many family reunions. They also enjoyed traveling to several church camps associated with the Global Missions Church. David proudly served as a deacon of the Minden Affiliate of Global Missions for many years. In July of 2001, David became a resident at Bethany Health Care in Minden. He quickly won the appreciation and admiration of the staff and residents and was proud to serve as secretary of the Resident’s Council at Bethany. Through years of uncertain health and many near-death experiences, David’s faith was unwavering and his witness before friends, family and total strangers was an ongoing ministry in itself. Always outgoing; always interested in life and loved ones around him, David loved being a husband and father and was deeply devoted to his beloved grandchildren whose many activities and accomplishments brought him great pride. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Ruth, of Minden, NE; one daughter, Sandy (Robert) Wood of St. Charles;one son, Rod (Joyce) Cornell of Elm Creek, NE;seven grandchildren:Jennifer, Jonathan, Jessica, James and Joshua Wood; andJerilyn and Claire Cornell;three brothers:Jerry (Cindy) Cornell of Elburn, IL;Ted (Bea) Cornell of Greenacres, FL and Lloyd Cornell of Newberg, OR;one sister, Martha (Ron) Sanders of St. Charles, IL;one sister-in-law, Lonnie Cornell of Virginia; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.He joins now his parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Faith (Bert) Wilkerson and one brother, Gilbert Cornell.VISITATION /SERVICESMemorial services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2003 at 2pm at the Community Congregational Church, corner of Shannon and Rt. 47, Elburn where the family will receive friends from 12:30pm until time of service. Jerome D. Cornell, a Travelling Minister of the Global Missions Church, North Battleford, Canada, will officiate. Private cremation interment services were held Friday at North Cemetery, St. Charles, IL. MEMORIALSMemorials in his name may be mailed to the family in care of PO Box 66, Elburn, IL.

Visitation from 12:30pm Saturday until time of service.