David C. Kreider, 65, of Wadsworth, passed away April 6, at Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was born January 16, 1944, in Wadsworth. Dave grew up in Wadsworth, and graduated from Wadsworth High School in 1962. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably-medically discharged. He attended The University of Akron studying accounting, and worked at the former Firestone Rubber Co. After that, he enjoyed working for Standard Oil of Indiana, plastics division, in Stow. He was proud that he pioneered the payroll system there.
Dave married Natalie (Wheeler) August 7, 1971. He was a devoted husband and a soul mate to Natalie. In the early '80s he retired and concentrated on family life. On May 14, 1983, Dave achieved the rank of first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do from the Art of Karate in Barberton. He was the only person at the school to achieve this rank using a wheelchair, and one of the few in the country. He enjoyed practicing and teaching Tae Kwon Do, and he treasured his friendships there.
His love of dinner debates, sarcastic personality and quick wit were a staple in Dave's life. Dave's interests were cars, chess, reading, history, rock 'n' roll, John Wayne movies, ice cream and his family.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Natalie, of Wadsworth; daughter, Heather, husband Jeff and grandson Ian; daughter, Melissa, husband Andrew, and grandson Lincoln, and daughter Erika, all of Colorado; his sister, Joan Birkbeck and husband Wayne and his sister, Leah Beachy, all of Florida; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded by grandparents, parents, Paul and Mary and brother, Wayne.
The family will receive friends 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at Hilliard Rospert Funeral Home and a Celebration of Life ceremony will be at 1 p.m., with Rev. James L. Singleton officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dave to the Wadsworth Salvation Army at P.O. Box 300, Wadsworth, OH 44282. (Hilliard-Rospert, 330-334-1501)
