David John Gronewold, 68, of Denton, TX, was surrounded by family and friends, and peacefully entered Heaven on Friday, May 24, 2024. His beloved wife of 43 years, Linda, children, Keila Gronewold (Celina, TX), and Nicholas Gronewold (Angela Bills) (Denton, TX), grandson, Cameron Liter (Frisco, TX), sister, Janet (Bruce) Etzel (Galena, IL), twin sister, Debra (Jerry) Nelson (Valparaiso, IN), brother, Gerry (Linda) Gronewold (Galena, IL), brother and sister-in-laws: Joe (Ann) Vulpitta (Gunter, TX), Russ (Tracy) Vulpitta (Frisco, TX), like-a-brother Bryan (Leigha) Andrews and like-a-sister, Penny (Greg) Simington, along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends rejoice in his new life and look forward to being reunited with one another in God’s timing through Christ Jesus. Dave joins his parents, Wilbur and Geraldine Gronewold, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Linda Vulpitta in his Heavenly home. Dave was baptized at 3-weeks old at Trinity Lutheran Church, Crete, IL by Rev. A.T. Kretzmann and confirmed in 8th grade at Hope Lutheran Church in Park Forest, IL by Rev. Luther Bekemeier. A life-long Lutheran and follower of Christ Jesus, Dave drew great strength from his relationship with the Lord and he supported his faith community through many unseen acts of services, along with participating in music ministry. Dave was a respected and generous businessman, having established and run Dave’s Pest Management (based in Flower Mound, Texas) for over 25 years. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Dave wrote and played many of his own songs. What wasn’t widely known is that he filed and receive a patent for a termite treatment delivery system and he was acknowledged by the Library of Congress for his song, The Creed. Before moving to Texas in 1992, Dave served his community as a Deputy Sheriff in Iroquois County, Illinois, rising to the rank of Corporal, and his favorite part of the position included teaching D.A.R.E. to junior high students throughout the county. He was at his happiest on the back of a horse, on a stage or teaching in a classroom. Dave loved singing, playing music, reading, writing, having a cold beer and spending time with those closest to him. Dave leaves behind a legacy as a treasured patriarch of his family, warmth, humor, wisdom, music, lifelong-friendships and his business, Dave’s Pest Management, which continues to operate to this day under the leadership of his family. Dave and his family extend sincere thanks to all family, friends, church members, clients, therapists, hospice and healthcare providers for your support in this journey. In lieu of flowers, if people wish to donate, Dave asked for people to donate to Community Healthcare of Texas, chot.org, the hospice organization that was of great support to Dave and the family during a most difficult time, or to reach out to their local police department to support the D.A.R.E. program, visit dare.org. Services to celebrate Dave’s life, and our Savior Who makes eternal life possible, will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 3:30pm (visitation from 3:00pm-3:30pm), with a reception following, at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 1401 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, Texas 75028. If you are unable to attend the service to honor Dave’s life in person, please feel welcome to join us via Lamb of God’s livestream on YouTube at https://log.org. The church will have a link to the service on their website the day of the memorial and it will be available to view for a short time following as well. Many blessings, thanks, peace and comfort to all – The Gronewold Family
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If you are unable to join the service to honor Dave’s life in person, it will be streamed live on YouTube. We will share the link to the service here when we receive it. Many thanks, blessings, peace and comfort to all. We love and appreciate you. – The Gronewold Family
Words can not express the closeness and friendship I felt with Dave. As a fellow musician, we shared the bond that only music can create between two individuals. I will cherish the memories of our friendship forever!
Prayers for comfort and peace for the entire Gronewold family.
You have my deepest sympathies. I knew David as a grade school classmate at Hope Lutheran church and school. May God fill your hearts with his love during this time.
Dave gentle and kind way made him unique in today’s crazy world. Always kind and honest his legacy will live forever in the hearts of all that he touched. I loved his music and singing! My prayers to my cousins and all of his family..
Dave and Linda are our best friends, they are family. Over the past 25 years, we shared laughs, joy, heartbreak, and sorrow. Our hearts break for Linda and her family. We are at peace knowing Dave is in the loving arms of our Father.
Linda, we grieve with you the earthly loss of Dave. I know you cared for Dave in all aspects of his health. And my family will never forget the wonderful care and smiles that you brought to us when you cared for my mom.
Blessings on you and your loved ones during all stages of your grieving.
Melissa Wade Hunter
To a outstanding gentleman he will be sadly missed by our family! R.I.P. Dave.
We extend our deepest sympathies at this loss of a loved and respected man. Dave’s obituary reflects the tremendous impact that he had, in so many ways, on a wide range of people. What a testament to a life lived well. He will be missed. It has been a blessing to know him and his family.
I’m Dave’s daughter, Keila. I want to speak at the funeral today, but I don’t know if I will be able to get through it. Today I will be wearing red cowboy boots to his funeral, because when my dad met me I was 2 years old and he noticed my shoes were to small and crushing my little toes. The next day he showed up with red cowboy boots that fit me. I think my mom knew then that not only was he meant for her but he was meant for me as well. My father instilled Christ in my heart from a very young age. I went through wild rebellious times in my life but my earthly father and heavenly father never abandoned me. I renewed my relationship with Jesus about 3 years ago and my dad was so happy. Dave was a great man but he was an amazing dad. I’m so lucky he chose to be my dad. My grief is heavy and I miss his physical presence terribly but I know if I continue to be who my savior called me to be then I will see him again.
Dave and I shared our birthdate a year apart, went to CMHS from Park Forest together, and confirmed a year apart.
Dear Gronewold family,
I am praying for you and sending deepest sympathy to you all. I was David and Debra’s first grade teacher at Hope Lutheran School in Park Forest, Illinois. I remember knowing the Gronewold family through another way. My sister-in-law married Orlon Jack Janssen from Buckley,Il. I knew Marty Adams Gronewold from Concordia, RF, Marty’s husband Harold “Hal” taught school with me at St. John’s Lutheran School in Lansing, Il and was a classmate of my husband’s at Concordia. Wilber Gronewold came to Hope Lutheran from the Lutheran School in Crete and I think he knew my sister -in-law who married Orlon Jack Janssen from Buckley.
David was a very good student and I remember him liking to sing hymns. He and Debra were my first set of twins in my class. I also had them in school at Hope when they were in seventh grade. I taught Social Studies while our principal, James Kirchhoff did work as our principal. It was a fun time to see how much the class had grown since I first had them.
I would love to hear from Debra. I am retired now and would enjoy some news from her.
May God hold you in His arms and comfort all of you as you grieve the passing of David.
Marlene Luedke