David A. Dunmire, Jr., 87, of Indiana, formerly of Linwood, N.J., and Summerland Key, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at St. Andrew’s Village.
He was born in Indiana on Nov. 7, 1930, to the late David A. and Helen Kathryn Hadden Dunmire. His mother taught in one-room country schools in Washington Township and at Marion Center High School until 1972. His father taught at Indiana High School from 1930 to 1963. His grandmother, Stella McAnulty Hadden, was the first woman justice of the peace in Indiana County, near Willet.
Mr. Dunmire grew up on Philadelphia Street and North Seventh Street (same as Jimmy Stewart, the movie star, only later). He attended Horace Mann Elementary School and Indiana High School, graduating in 1948. David attended Indiana State Teachers College from 1948 to 1952, receiving a bachelor’s degree in education (general science and math).
He then proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 in MPS at Fort Bragg, and was also stationed in Panama for a year. Upon his return, he attended Penn State University from 1955 to 1956, receiving a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
David married Vera Mae Smith from Martinsburg on Oct. 12, 1957. Vera graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1956 with a degree in business education. She was employed at Ocean City High Mainland Regional and was a master gardener. Vera passed away Sept. 16, 2008.
David was employed by DuPont in Wilmington, Del., from 1954 to 1958 and Atlantic City Electric Company from 1958 to 1962. He attended Stanford University in the summers for four years, receiving a master’s degree in education.
He and Vera lived in Pleasantville, N.J., and Linwood, N.J., until 1988. David taught mathematics and computer science at Oakcrest Regional High School from 1963 to 1986. He helped to establish their first computer system, which was used by local businesses as well as the school. In 1988, they moved to Summerland Key, Fla., where David was active in the Mensa organization, writing articles and puzzles for the Mensa magazine. He was active in the Florida Keys Power Squadron, teaching classes in navigation and water safety.
David was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Masonic Lodge F&AM 313 in Indiana and Coudersport Consistory. He was also a member of the NRA, Moose Lodge in Florida, American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the National Association for Amateur Radios. David also built stringed instruments.
He is survived by a sister, Jeanne D. Creps, of Indiana; a brother-in-law, Blair Smith, of Pleasant Gap; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at noon Saturday at Robinson-Lytle, Inc., with the Rev. Dr. Richard L Cassel officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to the Indiana Free Library, 845 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA 15701. In his youth, David spent many enjoyable hours at the library, fostering a life-long love of reading.
