David W. Gaunt

David W. Gaunt, 93 of Rushville, passed away January 5, 2017. He was born March 7, 1923 in Anderson, IN to the late Floyd and Golda Gaunt. His primary and secondary education happened squarely within the years of the Great Depression, beginning in 1929 and seeing him graduate from Anderson High School in 1941. He went to Indiana University and pledged the Pi chapter of Beta Theta Pi. News of Pearl Harbor inspired him to enlist in the United States Army. He would eventually serve as a technical sergeant on the island of Sri Lanka, spending 3 years there managing a large ration warehouse. He moonlighted playing piano in the company dance band and volunteered organ for Sunday services. In 1946 he returned to the Beta House and picked up the nickname “Boogie” for his preferred genre of piano. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1948, then took a job managing S.S. Kresge five and dime stores. Transferring from store to store in and around Indiana over the next 7 years, David began to yearn for a more stable lifestyle. To this end he looked for a business venture in central Indiana. He bought the Glenwood Elevator Company in 1955, moved to Rushville and began to lay roots. He joined the Rotary Club and served it for 30 years, one as president. He joined the First Baptist Church. He met and married Rhea Sue King, who had three children from a former marriage. David adopted them and had two more of his own. They joined St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where David was active in Sunday School and directed the choir for many years. He divorced in 1976. About this time he joined the Rush County Players, and performed in and directed numerous productions. He sold the Glenwood Elevator in 1978 and became an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance. This he did for 5 years. His next calling would find him substitute teaching at RCHS, where he became known as “Super Sub”. After retiring he delved into his hobby of oil painting and studied under Bill Ashby at the Indianapolis Art League. David painted many portraits over the next 20 years. The last three years of his life, suffering from congestive heart failure, no longer able to paint or play the piano, he endured a steady decline of body. His mental faculties remained sound, his spirit undiminished. Even in the last days of his life he retained his signature humor, grace and conscientiousness to others. David is survived by his sons, Dr. Michael W. (Melanie) Kane of Bloomington, Thomas J. (Vicki) Gaunt of Avon, David L. Gaunt of Rushville, Paul F. (DeMaris) Gaunt of Fishers, 4 grandchildren, and his sister, Martha A. Keller of Rochester, NY. David is preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Everett W. Gaunt, and daughter Elizabeth D. Gaunt. A memorial service will be held at 12PM Saturday, January 14, 2017 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Rushville. Friends are welcome to visit from 10 AM until the time of service. Pastors Roy Ice and Phil Mitchell will preside.

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David W. Gaunt

March 7, 1923 - January 5, 2017