David S. Dunlap

David S. Dunlap, 79, Rockford, died peacefully at his home following a valiant two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. After his August 2013 diagnosis, he resolved to live every remaining day of his life to the fullest.

He was born in Elgin and raised in Woodstock, the oldest of four children of Robert Joseph and Carol Dunlap.

On Sept.13, 1980, he married Flora Mann Bauman.

He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1954 as a highly competitive athlete, lettering in five different sports and playing on an American Legion baseball team. He attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.  

In 1955, he became a lineman for Illinois Bell Telephone Company.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1957, attending electronic school and serving 13 months in South Korea.

He returned to Illinois Bell, initially as a lineman. He was soon promoted to technician in the newly developed Direct Distance Dialing Switching Offices in Rockford.  He later became a supervisor and, then served as a public affairs liaison for the company.

He played and officiated ice hockey for many years, and he was instrumental in Rockford Park District’s decision to build the Riverview Ice House.

After retiring at age 55, he pursued golf, fishing, traveling and, especially, breadmaking, gifting loaves to relatives and friends. During his illness, he continued playing golf and having breakfasts and dinners with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife; four children from his previous marriage to Marlene Dehmlow, Robert (Sharon) Dunlap, Annette Dunlap, Denise (Mike Burke) Nerad and Steven (Debbie) Dunlap; two stepsons, Brad Bauman and  Rob Bauman; four grandchildren, Shawn, Callie, Joey and Sara; four step-grandchildren, Crystal, Courtney, Chelsea and Taylor;  a sister, Barbara Dunlap (Ray) Oughton, Woodstock; a brother, Robert Bruce (Patricia) Dunlap, Miami;  an aunt, Mildred Bridge, Derry, Penn.; and an uncle, Tom (Gil) Dunlap, Derry,; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Donald.

Memorials can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association or Northern Illinois Hospice of Winnebago County.

A visitation and a celebration of life service were held July 21 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Interment was private.