Lawrence "Dave" David Poffenberger

Lawrence David (Dave) Poffenberger, 82, passed away in the comfort and familiarity of his home on October 14, 2026. Always a force of nature, Dave died just as he’d lived—with quiet strength, inner peace, and a steady grace all his own.

Dave was born April 17, 1944, to Lawrence and Betty Poffenberger in Dayton, Ohio. Raised in and nearby that same city, his childhood was steeped in family—immediate and extended alike. Guided by parents and grandparents, surrounded by siblings, tended by aunts and uncles; shaped by cousins as ever-present close companions; and influenced by countless neighborhood playmates (friends who were themselves coming of age in similarly tight-knit families). You might say these circles of kinship formed Dave, and if you said that, you would be right.

He first attended Roth High School, where he met and fell for Susan (Imogene) Berry, his future wife and love of his life. In a twist of fate, both Dave and Imogene ultimately graduated not from Roth but from Wilbur Wright High School, in 1963. They married in late March 1964, and went on to have three children and more than 62 years of beautiful memories made together. He loved her truly.

Dave’s children—Sherrie, Steve, and Brian—meant the world to him. Across a varied career path—briefly in NCR factory work and later as an HVAC professional for 35 years—Dave was dedicated to providing his household with abundance, security, and opportunity, and he succeeded immeasurably in this lifelong focus. Though his trade knowledge and work ethic were sources of pride, his family was his real joy and came first and foremost, always.

The man could make or fix anything, with seemingly nothing but his head and his hands. He loved spending time outdoors, and was absolutely passionate about fishing. Early mornings and late nights often found him wading along his favorite (secret) stretch of the river, or maybe dodging angry geese or swans on a friend’s farm pond. He also thoroughly enjoyed sports—whether playing, watching, or coaching—and a great many kids of a particular era still remember him fondly in that capacity.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; father, Lawrence; sister Shirley; and brother, Danny. He is survived by sisters Betty, Beverley, and Brenda; his wife, Imogene; children, Sherrie, Steve, and Brian; grandchildren, Casey, Jake, and Colton; and great grandchild Eleanor. To know Dave was to know a one-of-a-kind individual. He was, as they say, one of the good ones. A man full of humor, grit, faith, generosity, and compassion, who loved so well and dearly and was, in turn, so well and dearly loved. A man full of kinship.

The family requests that any flowers be sent directly to Calvary Cemetery. There will be an informal memorial gathering of tribute at Calvary Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, October 31, 1-3PM.