David "Dave" O. Cartwright

Columbus Grove, Ohio

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  a time to be born, a time to serve, a time to love and a time to die.

A Time To Be Born:

David O. Cartwright of Columbus Grove, was born March 9, 1934, in Vaughnsville, to Thomas F. & Ruth E. (DeVelbiss) Cartwright. David was a graduate of Columbus Grove High School, class of 1953. 

A Time to Serve: 

David worked as a mechanic, starting while he was in high school, at Meyer's Chevrolet, of Columbus Grove.  Then after graduation, he went to work at Ed. McCrate Ford, also in Columbus Grove along with other area dealerships.  He was truck driver for Nickles Bakery, Lima for 9 years, and then Scot Lad Foods (Roundy's/Nash Finch), until his retirement in 1996.  Dave had owned his own trucks, Dave Cartwright Trucking, for 20 years.

He served on the Columbus Grove EMS from their beginning in 1974 and for over 50 years with the Columbus Grove Volunteer Fire Department.

David faithfully attended the Church of the Good Shepherd, in Columbus Grove, where he had served as an elder.  He also was a member of the Columbus Grove Lion's Club, enjoyed motor cycle riding, having ridden to all 48 states, and he loved working on the restoration of his 1958 Ford Thunderbird.

A Time to Love:

Married on June 12, 1954, to the love of his life, Shirley G. Watkins, and they celebrated 66 years together, having children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:  Cindy (Gary) Schumacher and family, Joy (Jim) Baumgartner, Sierra, Quincey and Drew, David (Amber) Schumacher, Emily, Katie and Joel, Nathan (Katie) Schumacher, Danny, Dietrich, and Rudy; Ken Cartwright and family, Jenni (Jeremy) Meyers, Noah, Balian, Lila and Killian, Matthew Cartwright; Lisa Lee and family, Jami (Brad) Rehm, Jonah, Micah and Bekah, Mitchell (Kate) Lee, Gavin, Isabel, Olive and Vincent, Jerry (Vickie) Cartwright. Also surviving are his brothers, Frank (Carol) Cartwright and Gale (Sue) Cartwright; his sisters, Doris (Ron) Everitt and Virginia (Jack) Teegardin; and sister in-law, Marlene Cartwright.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Cartwright, Jr. and daughter in-law, Linda Cartwright.

A Time to Die:

Dave went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Lima Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Columbus Grove, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., at which time services will be held.

Pastor Rich Biclawski will officiate.  Private burial will take place at Truro West Cemetery, Columbus Grove.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd or The Lord's Pantry, Columbus Grove.

With respect to social distancing due to the Covid-19 virus, the family understands that if you choose to stay home at this time, please take a moment and remember Dave, go online to hartmansonsfuneralhome.com, share a memory and/or your condolences.

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