David Miles Utley

David Miles Utley

Iowa City

David Miles Utley, age 90 of Iowa City, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2025, with his loving wife by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Calvary Church in Muscatine. A visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am. The burial will take place at a later date. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at Calvary Church. Pastor Dan Schoepf will officiate the service. Memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice or Oaknoll Life Care in honor of David Utley. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

David was born May 20,1934, in Manchester, IA to parents Grace Elizabeth (Hockaday), Utley and Miles A. Utley. David had three siblings: Grace Eileen Utley (Billhorn), George Howard Utley, M.D. and Harry Austin Utley.

David was a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church in Muscatine and accepted Christ as his Savior while growing up in Manchester. Throughout his life he lived for Christ and was immensely giving to others either monetarily or through one-on-one talks on how they could better themselves. Many people have shared examples of David’s positive view of life.

David graduated from Manchester High School in 1952 and then immediately leased and operated the Cities Service Gas Station in Manchester. After two years he was drafted into the U.S. Army and attended basic training in Fort Bliss, TX. Afterward he was assigned to Schofield Barracks Army Base, Oahu, HI for the remainder of his enlistment. Upon discharge, he moved back to Iowa.

In August of 1956 he married Gail Eilene Hon of Manchester, IA. They had a daughter, Christine M. Utley of Glen Ellyn, IL and a son, Craig (Lisa) Utley of North Liberty.

David and Gail moved to Iowa City where he enrolled at the University of Iowa and earned a BBA in Marketing while Gail worked to help support the household.

David worked for various companies after graduating but settled down and spent most of his professional career at Bandag, Inc. located in Muscatine. David joined Bandag in 1967 in their credit department and retired in 1997 as Vice President of Administration of Tire Distribution Systems while also managing all treasury functions. He would often say that Bandag opened his eyes to the world. He traveled globally and enjoyed the exposure to many countries and their cultures. He considered his life greatly enriched through his travels.

David was proud of the Muscatine community and volunteered on many boards of directors throughout his life including United Way, Sheltered Workshop, Lutheran Homes, Development Corp., Chamber of Commerce, Muscatine YMCA and The Carver Charitable Trust.

David’s passion for his family was known to all who knew him. He loved his family, extended family and would do anything to help them. Outside of family and work was golf. He could always be found at Geneva Golf & Country Club putting, chipping, playing, and teaching his grandchildren the game. He and one of his closest friends, Thomas Dvorchak, set a goal to play the top 50 courses in the country and traveled from coast to coast to achieve this goal. Highlights of golf included two hole-in-ones, numerous trips to Scotland’s Old Course and playing golf with his favorite professional, Jack Nicklaus.

David is survived by his loving wife, Gail, daughter, Christine Utley, and son, Craig (Lisa) Utley. He had five grandchildren: Steven (Caroline) Klink, Julie (Andrew) Suddreth, Kelly (Joey) Schwartz, Elizabeth Utley and Miles Utley, and five great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers George Howard, Harry and his sister Grace Eileen.