Mr. David Clauson, 78, Rochester, passed away at 12:07 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, at Woodlawn Hospital.

On Sept. 22, 1937, David Martin Clauson was born in St. Joseph County.  He was the treasured son of Carl and Dorothy Cromley Clauson.  Growing up he shared his childhood with a sister Marilyn.  As a young man about the age of 13,  Dave  led a youth Sunday School class for a number of years at his church, Culver Emmanuel.  As a young man he worked on home construction around Lake Maxinkuckee  and for the Bigley’s at the orchard.  With great Cavalier pride Dave graduated from Culver High School in 1955.

In the Fulton E.U.B. Church, Dave married the love of his life who later became his best friend, Dorothy J. St. Clair on February 24, 1957.  Together they shared more than 58 years of life’s adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children Ron, Ann and Linda.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Making their home west of Rochester, David and Dorothy commenced to farm.  They milked a fine herd of Holsteins until  April 3, 1974, when the tornado struck.  David  lost his parents, Dorothy and Kenneth Stockberger and their entire dairy operation.   Friends and neighbors lended a hand and assisted the Clausons with rebuilding their home and out buildings.  Eugene Scott led the forces on the residential work and Dave assisted him.  The focus shifted and they continued to crop farm hay, corn and beans.  Later that year he also joined the Vermeer Corporation as a sales rep for hay equipment.  After 37 years of dedicated service he retired in 2011.

A contributor to our community and Fulton County, Dave was a member of the Burton-Richland Center United Methodist Church.  He gave more than 15 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross through the years.  As a young man in the mid-sixty’s he served our area as a certified American Red Cross swim instructor, teaching many youngsters how to swim. Other memberships include the Indiana Forage Association, Honorary Chapter of F.F.A. Degree 2003-2004, Fulton County Councilman 1979 – 1982,  Public Defenders Board 1997, Commissioner 1989-1990.  In 2008, he was bestowed by grandson Kevin Burton, the VIP Award from Rochester High School  F.F.A.

It all began when Dave and Dorothy settled on their homestead in 1962.  Six short years later David was honored as the Outstanding Young Farmer in 1968.  In addition to crops and livestock, Dave planted and grew a variety of lilies and chrysanthemums to enhance the landscape of their home.  Leading by example, always exhibiting a strong work ethic Dave shared his love for agriculture with his family.  The legacy he left speaks volumes as, all of the four generations have or are heavily involved in 4-H and the farming industry at a variety of capacities around our area.   Dorothy, David and their amazing farming family were recently recognized with agriculture’s pinnacle award given by Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews, 2016 Indiana’s Farm Family of the Year.

A man driven to community service, with a strong desire to give back.  David was a life time supporter of Fulton County 4-H, serving on the board of the Fulton County 4-H Association for a number of years.  To honor him the Amphitheater was named for him.  Reaching out beyond Fulton County, and driven by the help his family received following the tornado, David traveled to the site of the Johnstown floods in Pennsylvania.  Here he spent time to clean-up and help rebuild the community.  When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana it was David and Dorothy driving down to help those hit by the devastation.  They spent time rebuilding, cleaning up and offering spiritual support to those families struggling to restore normalcy.

Paramount in David’s life was the Lord,  his family, friends and farming.  He and Dorothy were always there for their children.  With the arrival of the grandchildren and now the great-grands, Grandpa David adored each and everyone.  He looked forward to their visits and was an active Grandpa with his presence.  He and Dorothy shared the honor of being their top supporters.  Cheering them on at athletic contests, choir concerts, academic competition and fine tuning the grooming of their show prospects for the fair.  A modest man of few words, he reflected  the pride of his family with his warm smile and twinkling eyes.

Dave is lovingly remembered by his wife: Dorothy; two daughters: Ann (Don) Bauman; Linda (Dennis) Burton; a son: Ron (Cindy) Clauson, all of Rochester; six grandchildren: Kyle (Jessica) Clauson; Letitia Clauson; Brian (Bethaney) Bauman; Jeff (Jenny) Bauman; Scott (Jenna) Burton; Kevin (Kimberly) Burton; 11 great-grandchildren: Lyla Clauson; Tobias Clauson; Sydney Bauman; Carter Bauman; Ali Bauman; Aubrey Bauman; Aimee Bauman; McKinley Burton; Harrison Burton; Ellison Burton; and Liam Burton; and a sister: Marilyn (Don) St. Clair, Fulton. Preceding Dave in death are his parents and stepfather: Kenneth Stockberger.

Visitation is from 3-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Good Family Funeral Home, and from 9-10 a.m. before the 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, funeral, also at Good Family Funeral Home. Pastor Tom Richard will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in David’s memory to the Fulton County Fair Association for upgrading the grounds.  Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com