David B. Ethridge, 91, of Springfield, Mo., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Mercy Hospital with his family at his side. He was born on March 30, 1935, in Monett, Mo. to Manford and Norma (Barrett) Ethridge. He had a rural upbringing with his five siblings and graduated from Monett High School in 1953.

Although Dave didn’t originally plan to attend college, after a long summer of farm work, his high school football coach helped him enroll at the University of Missouri. While at Mizzou, he met his wife of 59 years, Anne (Romjue) Ethridge.

Dave had a long career he was proud of in the dairy industry, which took Anne and eventually their two sons, Allen and Andrew, to Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Connecticut, Florida and Texas.He would like everyone who loves him to continue to stay loyal to Daisy Brand sour cream.

Outside of work and in retirement, Dave enjoyed being active in nature, riding his bike for miles on Missouri trails, and in his later years walking his dog, Mady, faithfully twice a day. There was never a more dedicated fan of the St. Louis and Springfield Cardinals than Dave. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, and on days he knew they were coming to visit, he would anxiously glance out the front window anticipating their arrival.

He served in every church he was a member of, and more than anything, Dave wanted all he knew to know Jesus, to know his word, and to have certainty of their eternity in heaven.After his wife, Anne, suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002, Dave became her full-time caregiver, quietly but beautifully demonstrating to his family the true meaning of marriage vows. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Allen Ethridge; brothers, Aurthur and Robert Ethridge as well as sisters Lavon Powell, Georgia Mae Oglesby, and Dorothy Gerhardt.

He is survived by a son and his wife, Andrew and Ann Ethridge; two grandchildren, Alex and Tyler Ethridge; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends; and his caregiver and best friend, Geneva Harness.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with Michael Overton officiating. Burial will follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .