David W. Ames, 68, of Darien, died Jan. 31, 2019, in Illinois.
He was born to John D. and Isabelle Ames in 1950 and grew up on the family’s farm in the town of Darien. He graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1968 and from UW-Platteville in 1972 with a degree in soil science. He spent his early career as a field manager for Seneca Foods of Janesville while also raising his own corn and soybeans. Since 1998, he has been a farm manager for Neumiller Farms at their southern branch in Bath, Ill.
David was an avid outdoorsman who spent what time he could hunting, trapping, fishing and taking photos. He cared deeply about wildlife management and instilled a love of the land in his children. At work and in his personal life, he was a natural teacher and a mentor to many young people.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Meisel of Darien; his stepdaughter, Amanda (Andrew) Noehl of Elkhorn and their sons, Laken and Connor; his children, Ann Marie Ames (Ray Adkins) of Janesville, Robert Ames (Chelsea Karrels) of St. Louis Park, Minn., Andrew Ames of Bath, Ill., and their mother, Marge Ames of Fort Atkinson; as well as his eight siblings and their spouses and children. He is preceded in death by his parents and his infant children, William and Cindy Ames.
A private family funeral will be held at Betzer Funeral Home, Delavan, at 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by a visitation from noon to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks guests to make donations to the John D. and Isabelle Ames Memorial Scholarship.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. (Your dad and my dad, “Red” Lidbury, were great friends – – hunting, fishing, flying, farming. Sounds like your brother believed in the same principles of the stewardship of Nature as our dads.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Julie