David E. Thienel

David E. Thienel, 81, of New Castle, Indiana, formerly of Wood River, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 30, 1942 in Shelton, Nebraska to the late Curtis and Barbara (Smith) Thienel.

He was a graduate of Shelton High School in Shelton, Nebraska and graduated from University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. An electrician by trade, David owned and operated Thienel Builders and Sons. David was responsible for the construction of over 50 houses in the Wood River and Shelton area. The Thienel family hosted numerous foster children in their home over the years and during this time took many camping trips. David was instrumental in starting the Wood River EMT department. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Hastings, NE and the Order of the Eastern Star in Grand Island, NE where he was Past Worthy Grand Patron. He was a Past Master of the Cement Masonic Lodge in Wood River.

David attended Grace Baptist Church in New Castle and was a former lay speaker for the United Methodist Church in Nebraska. He spent numerous years teaching Sunday School at Southside Baptist Church in Grand Island as well as the First United Methodist Church in Wood River. David enjoyed reading, Sudoku puzzles and traveling, both at home and abroad. He loved his dog, Rex, his loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Mary (Huddleston) Thienel; children, Timothy (Sherri) Thienel of Wood River, NE and William (Melissa) Thienel of Lincoln, NE; bonus children, Ruth (Scott) Wolfe of Kennard and Daniel Harp of St. Paul, NE; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brothers, Larry (Allison) Thienel of Rhode Island and Don (Karen) Thienel of Gretna, NE; several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife of over 35 years, MeLinda (Smith) Thienel and a brother, Robert Thienel.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday evening, May 30, 2024 at the Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River with Rev. Bev Hieb officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 pm to service time the evening of the service. Memorials are suggested to the family to designate at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.