Athmer, David J. “Pup”, age 54, peacefully passed away at home with his wife Cathy by his side holding his hand, after a hard-fought battle against cancer.

If you can judge how beloved a man was by the number of nicknames he had, he was very loved indeed, and particularly enjoyed being the FUNCLE (the “fun uncle.”)

Dave is a Fairmont East Falcon (class of 1981); University of Dayton Flyer (class of 1985); and huge enthusiast of camping, kayaking, patio time, woodworking, collecting t-shirts in Key West, and watching Great Lakes freighters bearing their heavy loads, engines thrumming, signaling through darkness and fog. He loved lighthouses, sand dunes, good cigars by a campfire, his dogs, tending the yard, and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his best friend and soul-mate, wife Cathy Phelan Athmer; mother Patricia "Pat" Athmer; siblings Mike (Sally) Athmer, Dan (Linda) Athmer, Chris (Anne) Athmer, Nancy (David) Schmidt, and Mary Jo (Chris) Marcum; sister-in-law Mary (Lee) Sanders; many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and honorary brother, business partner, and most excellent friend John D. Knight.

Dave is preceded in death by his father Merle Athmer.

Cathy and Dave wish to express a very special thank-you to the staff and volunteers at Kettering Cancer Center for making a difficult journey easier to travel.

A celebration of Dave’s life and visitation will be held on Friday, January 19th, from 4-7pm, at Conner & Koch Life Celebration Home, 92 W. Franklin St., Bellbrook, next to the Dairy Shed, where you could frequently find Dave and Cathy every summer.

Service and internment will be held on Saturday, January 20th, at 11:00am, at Miami Cemetery Chapel, 6379 Corwin Ave., Waynesville.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Francis Kennels of Xenia, the Humane Society of Warren County (Otis and Maxine thank you), or any organization you feel appropriately honors Pup’s life.

We will love you always and miss you deeply, until we meet again.