David S. Conway, 77, passed away on March 22 at Otterbein Cridersville.

David was born on March 2, 1946, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Robert and Phyllis (Hofmann) Conway. He graduated from Cridersville High School and served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1973 as a nuclear technician aboard the USS Chanticleer and the USS Long Beach.

David is survived by his son, Colin (Carla) Conway of Spokane, Washington,  his sisters, April (Terry Fetzer) Conway of Lake Worth, Florida, and Robin Conway of Lima, his brother, Scott (Val) Conway of Lima,  his life partner, Cheryl Counts of Lima, and his granddaughter Ava Wolfert of Lima.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jason Conway and his beloved uncles and aunt, Donald, Marshall, and Opal Hofmann.

After his service in the Navy, David worked on the west coast as an office machine repairman. When he retired, he worked part time at Toys R Us, happy to be surrounded by toys and children.  He was a Civil War buff and loved airplanes, ecstatic that he got to fly in a Ford Tri-motor and a DC-3.  Despite his fear of heights, he even parachuted from a plane…once.

David will be remembered for his corny jokes, his ability to fix anything, and most of all, his kindness.  He never missed an opportunity to thank police officers and veterans for their service, to open a door or offer assistance to anyone, or to express his gratitude.  In lieu of flowers, his family requests that David’s memory be honored by performing simple acts of kindness.

At David’s request, his ashes will be sent to the Navy in San Diego for burial at sea with full military rites.

The family will receive friends at a celebration of David’s life on Sunday, March 26, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Bayliff and Son Funeral Home in Cridersville.

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