Dr. David J. Luke, 78, of Centralia, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022, in St. Louis.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25, at Arnold Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.
Visitation was Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
David was born on January 5, 1944, in Girard, Kansas, the son of William R. and Hazel (Spoonhour) Luke. On October 17, 1984, he married Teresa Elane Griffin. She passed away on August 30, 2004.
Dr. Luke graduated from Falls City (NE) High School and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He then obtained his Doctorate in Optometry from the University of Chicago. David began practicing in Mexico with Dr. Searfoss. After buying out their practice, Dr. Luke opened another location in Centralia. While practicing in Mexico and Centralia, he also began working for Walmart, a position he held until retirement. David was honored in 2020 by the American Optometry Society for 50 years of practice.
David served his country in the U.S. Navy and the Army Reserves. He was a member of the Kiwanis, American Legion, Audrain County Republican Central Committee, The Y-Street Club, and had been a member of the First Christian Church in Centralia. He loved being outside with his cat Zbat, his Z-named beagles and shooting his guns; going to his Table Rock Lake house and watching his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers play football brought him great joy as well.
Survivors include three children, Derric Dollens of Bowling Green, Scott Dollens of Columbia, South Carolina, and Brooke (Aaron) Sanchez of Cleveland, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Devin Benke, Dax Dollens, Dixon Dollens, Grant Dollens, Lindsay (Matt) Wheeler, Noah Sanchez and Evelynn Sanchez; five great-grandchildren, Walker Dollens, Warren Dollens, Tristin Wheeler, Emma Wheeler, and Asher Wheeler; one brother, Richard Luke of Wichita, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews in Kansas.
In addition to his wife, Teresa, David was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Billie Krehbiel.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Rifle Association (NRA). They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, Missouri 65265 or online at donate.nra.org/donate
