David Lee Avery, 94, of Michigantown, passed away September 28, 2026 at Wesley Manor in Frankfort, Indiana. He was born November 17, 1931 to Frank D. and Ethel E. (Hamilton) Avery in Clinton County. He married Patsy A. Fields on July 13, 1948 and celebrated 74 years together before she preceded him in death October 5, 2022.
David attended Michigantown High School and went on to become a life-long farmer. He sold sweet corn from his farms for 30 years. David served on the Michigan Township Advisory Board from 1966-1974. He was President and a member of the Clinton County Welfare Board from 1981-1986. David was also a Michigan Township Trustee for 28 years serving from 1979-2007. He was President and a member of the Clinton County Council from 1974-1976. Besides serving locally in his Clinton County area, David was also appointed at the State level by Governor Evan Bayh to a number of positions. He served in 1989 and 1990 with the Indiana Agricultural Development Corporation. He also served in 1990 on the Indiana Pesticide Review Board. Continuing his service at the State level, in 1991 and through 1995 he was the Indiana Chairman of the Indiana State Soil Conservation Board. His political involvement in both Clinton County and the State of Indiana led him to Chair the Clinton County Democratic Party from 1986-1990 and to serve as the 6th District Treasurer of the Indiana Democratic Party from 1989-1993. David was a Director of Agmax for several years as well as a member of Hopewell Church. He was a 35 year member of the Indiana High School Athletic Official’s Association, serving 33 of those years as a basketball referee for the State of Indiana, officiating a total of 1,017 varsity boys and girls basketball games. David was an avid Purdue Boilermaker basketball fan as well as a loyal Chicago Cubs fan.
Surviving are: his daughter Gail Ann Quakenbush of Frankfort; his daughter, Kathy (Larry) Neal of Frankfort; his daughter, Diana (Dennis) Brown of Flora; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Frank and Ethel; his wife, Patsy; his sisters, Pauline Whiteman, Iris Grosswiler, Wilma Cohee, Mary Curnett, and infant Mary Avery; and a brother, Dale Avery.
David resided the last four years of his life at Wesley Manor, where he developed many new friendships and relationships with others. The family would like to share a special word of thanks to the ground floor nurses and CNA’s at Wesley Manor, especially to Carrie, Erica, Danielle, Mia, and Cassie. They would also like to especially thank the staff of Paradigm Hospice for their care of David and the entire family.
Friends may visit 1-3 p.m. Sunday, October 4 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort, with a funeral service following at 3 p.m. Burial will be at Whiteman Cemetery in Michigantown. Goodwin Funeral Home is honored to assist the Avery family. Memorials may be made to the Michigantown Community Center, 500 Ohio St., Michigantown, IN 46057 or to Paradigm Hospice, 8904 Bash St., Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46256. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com where you may share a condolence with the family.