David “Butch” Clarkson Bombei went to his heavenly home on June 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
David was born to John and Rose (Calbert) Bombei on Aug. 15, 1938. He graduated from Amo High School in 1956 where his father was on the school board. The family owned a large dairy farm in Amo, Indiana for years where the Bombei family learned an incredible work ethic which he passed along to all his children and grandchildren.
David met Jesus prior to marrying the love of his life, Patricia Ellen Lee on Aug. 10, 1957. She survives him. They have modeled a perfect example of love and marriage to all who know them.
Meeting Jesus was not just an event in his life, his meeting Jesus shaped who he was. He loved his family well. They have four surviving children, Tammy (Jim) Brothers, Lisa (Steve) Vitaniemi, Jana (Doug) Smith and Chris (Michelle) Bombei.
David loved his grandchildren and became the team grandfather to many softball and basketball players as he was an avid supporter of all his grandkids’ sports teams. Grandchildren who will miss him dearly include: Jennifer (Jose) Serrano, Brittney Brothers, Drew Brothers, Alexandria (Jake) VanHoomissen, Madison (Chas) Buenning, Emily Bombei and three great grandchildren: Spencer Serrano, Sophia Serrano and Summer VanHoomissen.
After farming in Amo, David moved to Greencastle and began a career with Farm Bureau managing a co-op in Whitesville and then transitioning to the Indiana Farm Bureau. He was so knowledgeable about agriculture that farmers loved when he came to visit just to ask him questions.
David was an extreme example of servant leadership and giving. He loved giving in numerous ways and touched the lives of so many throughout the years. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and served the church in nearly every capacity possible from teaching, transporting kids, serving on boards, and even getting up early to stoke the coal furnace for years.
In addition to demonstrating his faith, one proud accomplishment was serving on the South Putnam Community School Board for 12 years. He taught his family the importance of being a good citizen to include good academics, community giving and faith. As a result of the example he and Pat lived, their family established the Dave and Pat Bombei Service Scholarship to provide scholarships to local students who represent these qualities. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Putnam Dollars for Scholars/Dave and Pat Bombei Service Scholarship through Putnam County Foundation.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Bethel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the funeral home.
