David Loy Tressler III

(March 4,1939–-June 12, 2025)

David Loy Tressler III, was born in Chicago, IL on March 4,1939. He and his family moved to Western Springs, IL in 1948. He attended Grand Avenue Grade School, McClure Junior High School in Western Springs and Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL. Following high school, David attended both Eureka College and Southern Illinois University. He became a photographer for UPI. Later he became a manager of a slot car game room in Hinsdale, IL, then took a job working at the Reynolds Metals plant in McCook, IL. While working for Reynolds (later McCook Metals) in the skin mill, David had responsibility for precision work milling sheets of metal into commercial aircraft wing covers. He became well known amongst his fellow workers as easy going, friendly and talented.

In 1973 he married Barbara King, a woman he had grown to know though their common interest in working back stage in the Western Springs Community Theater. They lived together in Bollingbrook, IL until David retired to Sun City, Arizona. Barbara passed away in 2003. In the years that followed, David met Sharon Lee Harter through their mutual enjoyment of lawn bowling. They became life time partners who lived together in Sun City and more recently in Surprise, AZ.

David became a regular at the Lakeview Wood Working Club in Sun City where he crafted beautiful bowls as a wood turner. For years, David became a go to helper for club members, teaching and mentoring others in wood turning. His family and friends treasure the bowls he gifted throughout the years. Besides his interest in wood working, David spent hours researching the families' genealogy. He loved American history and was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His interests were varied but his heart was always vested in his family.

In November of 2024, David and Sharon moved into assisted living at the Vineyard Park of Surprise. On June 9, 2025 David suffered a fall in his apartment sustaining a critical head injury. He was flown to the intensive care unit of the Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, AZ where he remained until his passing on June 12, 2025. David is preceded in death by his parents, David Loy Tressler II and Jessie Adele Tressler of Western Springs, IL and later Sun City, AZ, his wife Barbara King Tressler of Sun City, AZ. He is survived by Sharon Lee Harter of Surprise, AZ, his son, Richard Fulton of Seal Beach, California and grand children Sydney, Taylor and Noah Fulton of Aurora, Colorado. Also surviving are David’s brother, Jay Tressler formerly of Wheaton, IL and now living in Surprise, AZ as well as his sisters, Adele Davis and Dorothy Tressler of Western Springs, IL. He is also survived by his niece, Corrie Hayes (Wayne) of Aurora, IL, his nephew, Beau Davis (Elizabeth)) of Wilmette, IL and Dacia Davis (David Bell) of Anchorage, Alaska. David also leaves four cousins, seven grand nieces and nephews as well as two great grand nephews.

David was universally recognized as a talented wood turner, who loved his family, God and country. He enjoyed life and found complaints to be a waste of time. He was proud not only of his own accomplishments but cherished the success of others in his family. A celebration of life will be held August 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 4370 Woodland Avenue, Western Springs,IL.

Services in Surprise, Arizona have been canceled until further notice. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to consider a gift in David’s memory to the Lakeview Wood Working Club 10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd, Sun City, AZ.