David F Polk (86) of Neoga, formerly of Altamont

David Fraley Polk, 86, of Neoga, formerly of Altamont, went to his eternal home at 8:50 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2023 at his home. He had a lengthy battle with cancer and had been cared for by his family and hospice for a couple of years.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Altamont with military rites by Grobengieser-Fischer American Legion Post #512. Visitationwill be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont and for one hour prior to service time at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Dave was the son of Paul and Bennie Mae Polk. He was born on August 4th of 1936 in Wilson, Oklahoma. Dave’s parents moved to Altamont when Carter Oil moved to Saint Elmo. He attended the Altamont Schools and was a member of the Methodist Church. Following his graduation in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He began his military career at Toyoko International in 1956, returning in 1958. While home on leave in ’58, he met the young lady who later became his wife. On August 17th of 1961, David married Carol Tappendorf in a private ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. They lived in Washington D.C. until he received orders for Vietnam in 1965. Dave’s tour of duty while at Andrew A.F.B. included transporting newsmen, and dignitaries from Andrews to points of conflict such as evacuation of Guantanamo Naval Base, Martin Lutheran King protests, civil rights problems and standing guard at J.F.K.’s funeral. In January of 1965, he received orders for Vietnam. His tour was in the Central Highlands at Pleiku A.F.B. He returned with orders for Otis A.F.B. on Cape Cod. He was stationed there for 3 years and left in 1969 for a second tour in Vietnam. Stationed at Bein Hoa outside of Saigon. The war was becoming less and less popular. Dave returned home to opposition in the country he loved. News articles showed the bombing of Bein Hoa. His last 5 years were spent at Richards Gelauer A.F.B. outside of Kansas City. While in Missouri he became part of the Air Force Bowling League. He also spent time with the youth leagues and taught them the game. After his retirement in 1975, he and his family lived in Altamont for many years. They currently live in a gated community outside of Neoga. He is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg and was a past member of the VFW#7676.

David leaves his wife of 61 years; two sons, David of Effingham and Donald of Durham, North Carolina; daughter, Caroline and her two daughters Emily and Elizabeth of Neoga; brother, Benjamin of Chicago; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by; his parents; brothers, Donald and Bill; daughter-in-law, Pamela Brady Polk, wife of his son Donald.

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