David James Netterfield

1938 - 2025

RANTOUL - David James Netterfield, 86, of Rantoul went to the Lord on Thursday evening (April 3, 2025) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 11, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Rantoul. Father Verrier and Father Phelps will officiate. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lux Memorial Chapel, with the rosary recited at 4:30 p.m. Following the services, David wished to be cremated and to have his ashes placed in Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood.

He was born Sep. 4, 1938, in Toledo, Ohio, the loving son of George and Mary (DiFrancia) Netterfield. The family moved to Midland, Mich., where he spent his life until he married Mary Pnacek on Jan. 25, 1958. Together they had seven children, Pamala Netterfield of Canada, David Netterfield II of Kentucky, Denise (Bernard) Fontaine of Canada, Diana Wilder of Arizona, Mark (Angie) Netterfield of Wyoming, John (Karena) Netterfield of Virginia and Peter Netterfield of Arizona. He later married Carol Sturlis on Jan. 18, 2001, in Matteson. She survives.

Also surviving are a sister, Annette (Bob) Pierce of Florida; a stepson, John Klein of Champaign; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

David enlisted in the Navy Reserve during his junior year of high school and was called to active duty in the Naval Service. He spent over 16 years in the Navy and retired in 1973. During his military career, he served as an adviser to the Vietnamese Chief of Naval Communication in Saigon, as well as many other assignments. 

He graduated from Eastern Montana College in Billings, Mont., with an undergraduate degree in business administration and a graduate degree in early childhood special education. He and Mary founded the Christian Child Care Center in Billings. David later joined the Army National Guard, serving in Montana and Wyoming. While in Rock Springs, Wyo., he ran the Child Development Centers in Sweetwater County for 20 years.

After his marriage to Carol, they moved to Scotts Bluff, Neb., to be near his children. He became involved in the St. Agnes Parrish and the local Knights of Columbus. They later moved to Rantoul to become foster grandparents at Hope for the Children. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and various programs at the Community Center.

Throughout his life, David was proud of his military service and the times he spent helping with child development. He found great satisfaction in serving others.

Memorials may be made to the Henry J. Smith Trust.