David D. Fleming

David D. Fleming, age 86, of Monmouth, Illinois; died at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth, on December 14, 2009 at 12:55 pm. He was born on October 12, 1923 in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of Herbert M. and Ruth Diehl Fleming. David grew up on the family farm outside of Ipava and graduated from Ipava Community High School (now merged into V.I.T.) in 1940. He then received a B.A. degree from Monmouth College in 1946. David served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Corp from 1942 to 1945 (seeing action in Europe as a B-17 navigator) He was also in the Illinois National Guard's 44th Infantry Division from 1948 to 1959, reaching the rank of Captain, with an active duty tour during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. His 62-year marriage to his beloved wife Mary M. Huntoon began on June 7, 1947 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She survives him. After his graduation from Monmouth College, David made Monmouth his lifelong home. He was first employed by the college in Admissions, and later served as Director of Development and then Assistant to the President. In 1972 he left the college and went to Galesburg Cottage Hospital as Vice President for Development & Community Relations, where he worked until his retirement in 1985. David then was President of the Mellinger Educational Foundation for 20 years, "re-retiring" in 2005 He was on the Monmouth College Board of Trustees from 1990 to 1997, and was an emeritus trustee thereafter. Monmouth College honored David with its Distinguished Service Award in 1971 and with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1998. In 2006 the college constructed and dedicated Fleming Plaza, adjacent to and just behind Wallace Hall, in honor of David and Mary. David is a member and past president of Monmouth Rotary Club, was a member and past president of the Monmouth Exchange Club, and was a board member and past chairman of the board of Monmouth Community Memorial Hospital/Community Medical Center. He also was on the board of the National Bank of Monmouth from 1966 to 1995, serving as chairman for two ten-year terms. He was a board member of both the Warren County United Way (serving as first chairman of its Endowment Committee) and the Warren County YMCA, and also served on the Monmouth Planning Commission from its inception in 1962 until 1993. He was a member and past president of the Monmouth Country Club. He was named "Citizen of the Year" in 1993 by the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. David loved to play golf and be active, to be with friends and family, to work hard, and to give back to the community. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor, and was very open and accessible. He was also a man of great integrity and honor, was very loyal and devoted to those close to him and to everything he worked on, and was loved and respected by most if not everyone who knew him. Surviving him in addition to his loving wife Mary, of Monmouth, are their three sons, and a total of seven grandchildren: Michael A. (Lynne) Fleming of Peoria, Illinois (Lauren, Eryn, and Morgan); David H.(Marcia) Fleming of Scottsdale, Arizona (Kevin and Eric); and Joel G. (Violet) Fleming of Monmouth, Illinois (Dawn and Michael). Also surviving is his sister Barbara (Warren) Harris of Canton, Illinois. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Philip, and a son, John. Services:Cremation has been accorded. A public memorial service is planned for January 9, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., at Dahl Auditorium at Monmouth College, with a gathering afterwards at the Stockdale Student Center on the campus. Memorials should be made to Monmouth College.