David Gudgel
February 1, 1950 - September 14, 2013

David Gudgel, 63, of Keokuk, Iowa born February 1, 1950 passed on to Jesus, September 14, 2013 at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

David was the son of Maurice and June Dothage Gudgel. David married his loving wife Leah Huiskamp on August 12, 1972. To that union was born two daughters, Clare and Beth; and two sons, Andrew and Adam.

In his life, David had many positions and accomplishments. He worked as a sales representative with Dearborn Chemical. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served as a Lay Leader and Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. He was also a member of God's Way Homeless Shelters, a founding member of the Keokuk Public School Foundation, a past member of the Keokuk Area Foundation Board, a past president of Keokuk United Way, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, a Boy Scout fund raiser, a past member of Hoerner YMCA Board, a past recipient of the Keokuk Spirit Award, a member of the Keokuk Chamber of Commerce, a past member of Main Street Board of Directors, a member of Rotary, a past president of the Keokuk Country Club, a past member of the Keokuk Park Board, a past member of the Keokuk Public School Board of Education for ten years, Co-Chair Fund Raiser for Keokuk Nursing Fund, Chairman Fund Raiser for new Calvert Stadium Lights, a past chairman of Keokuk Port Authority, a past Little League coach and high school referee, a Past President of Keokuk Little League, Chairman Fund Raiser for Keokuk's Rand Park Pavilion, a founding member of Keokuk's Veterans Memorial, a member of Keokuk's Vision Program, a member of the Keokuk Savings Board of Directors, a member of the Keokuk Yacht Club, a past member of Keokuk Economic Development, a facilitator of the new Keokuk Public Swimming Pool. David also assisted in Alliant/Iowa Utility Board arguing for equitable rates, assisted Keokuk Varsity Football, and was instrumental in bringing Midwest Academy to Keokuk, and the Mayor of Keokuk for eight years. Most importantly, David was a strong believer in Jesus Christ.

David is survived by his loving wife, Leah; his daughters: Clare Christine (Michael) Logsdon of Des Moines, Iowa, and Elizabeth Cathleen (Nate) Connor of Jasper, Indiana; his sons: Andrew David Maurice (Elizabeth) Gudgel of Davenport, Iowa, and Adam Christian Gudgel and his future daughter-in-law, Katie Stephenitch of Des Moines, Iowa; his mother June Gudgel of Keokuk, Iowa; his brother Phillip (Heather) Gudgel of Kansas City, Kansas; his sister Linda (David) Konkel of Wolf, Wyoming; sisters-in-law: Ms. Barbara Poe and Ms. Tina Huiskamp; a brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas (Verna) Huiskamp; his eight grandchildren: John David Logsdon, James Christian Logsdon, Griffin Maurice Connor, Luke Michael Logsdon, Owen Christian Connor, Joseph Robert Gudgel, Emmett Wilder Connor and Anna Evelyn Gudgel; seven nephews and seven nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father Maurice, his uncle Marvin, and his mother and father-in-law, Carl and Lucille Huiskamp.

Visitation will be after 4:00 PM Thursday, September 19, 2013 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk with family meeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00.

A celebration of his life will be Friday, September 20, 2013, at 3:00 PM, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk with Pastor Missy Brown officiating.

At David's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, God's Way Homeless Shelter, Keokuk Public Library, and Rand Park Pavilion.

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