Ternus, David 'Dave'

David “Dave” Ternus, 83, of Vinton, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton, with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Mercy.

Dave was born Oct. 13, 1930, in Nebraska, to Joseph and Katherine (Schaecher) Ternus, and graduated from Urbana High School. On Aug. 22, 1950, he married Shirlene Haars in Spencers Grove, Iowa. Shirlene preceded him in death in 2002. On Aug. 16, 2003, Dave married Kaye Cress Boyles in Vinton.

Dave was a lifelong farmer in Benton County. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton, where he was also active in the Knights of Columbus. Dave was an avid reader and loved to do crossword puzzles. He also enjoyed playing cards and traveling in his motor home.

Dave is survived by his wife, Kaye of Vinton; three daughters, Marsha (Denny Drake) Ternus of Grimes, Marlys (Gary) Seyer of Phoenix, Ariz., and Marla (Monte) Goodell of Vinton; one son, Martin (Connie) Ternus of Vinton; four stepchildren, Tami (Steve) Naylor of Monks Corner, S.C., Teri (Kevin) Arnold of DeWitt, Trudi (Mike) Pillard of Urbana and Todd (Annette) Boyles of Arlington, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six brothers and six sisters.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Mark, and daughter, Marlene.

Condolences may be left at .

Published Dec. 22, 2013 in The Gazette