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David P. Little

June 28th, 1954 – July 23rd, 2021

David P. Little, 67, of Astoria, IL, passed away at 3:12 am on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Mason District Hospital ER in Havana, IL. He was born on June 28, 1954 in Jacksonville, IL, the son of Grant and Margaret (Barrett) Little.

Surviving is his mother, Margaret Little of Jacksonville.

He is preceded by his father, Grant Little.

David taught English and was a Librarian at Astoria Schools for 35 years, retiring in 2007. During his time at the school, he also was a class sponsor for several classes and was the yearbook sponsor. He also worked for the Illinois State Library Association.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church and served as a lay minister for the church. He also spoke at area churches as a fill in pastor. He was also a member and treasurer of the Fulton County Retired Teachers Association. He served as president for the Astoria Federation of Teachers at one time. A talented singer and musician, David often sang and played the piano for area churches and events. He was involved in the McDonough Chorus Society.

Services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Reverend Bob Greene and Barb Wooldridge will be officiating. A visitation will take place 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment will be at 3 pm on Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffs, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sheldon’s Grove United Methodist Church.

Condolences

July 24th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. He was always a joy to talk with and to listen to him sing and read a story at our Christmas eve services. He will be missed. Mark Ross

July 24th, 2021

Mom and I are so very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful funny person. Had an amazing voice. Will miss him. Donna and Lenore Boyd.

July 24th, 2021

So very sorry for your loss!

July 24th, 2021

So sorry for your great loss of your wonderful son. He was always such a joy to be around. Linda Lea Windsor

July 24th, 2021

He will be missed. Patty Wherley

July 24th, 2021

Margaret, I’ve known Dave, have traveled him, enjoyed conversations and glad he taught my three children. You raised him well. That he loved you was evident. Rosemary Perdew

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss
He was Such a kind, sweet, gentle man
Thoughts and prayers for you
The Taylor Families

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss may you feel God's love and comfort during this difficult time. Rodney and Theresa Keefauver

July 25th, 2021

David was a true gentleman. He will be missed by many. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

July 25th, 2021

We are so sorry to hear of David’s passing! Our thoughts and prayers!! 🙏🙏. Mike and Peg Davis.

July 25th, 2021

Great loss...he was a wonderful man....Anni Mitchell

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. He was a very sweet and wonderful person. He will be sadly missed.

July 25th, 2021

We were saddened to hear of David's passing. He will be missed by many. Gene and Jean Zackey

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Alan and Georgiana Clemens

July 25th, 2021

So very sorry for your loss. David was great to have as a teacher, such wonderful qualities as a person, and an inspirational example for is all. My deepest sympathies, Brian Bucher

July 25th, 2021

Great loss to the family and community.He was a special teacher to survive all the Biesenthal kids...his love for his mother was evident in every thing he did! So many memories over the years of his trips and traveling with his mother. Prayers for comfort and peace within the soul! The Biesenthal Family

July 25th, 2021

He was a co-worker, teacher to our boys, and a true family friend. Such a sweet, talented and Christian man. Our sympathies to Margaret. He touched so many lives while he was here. Garth and Carolyn Cripe

July 25th, 2021

I was so sorry to hear of David's passing. He was a true gentleman whose voice and presence will be missed by the McDonough Choral Society. Rest in peace, David. Lynn-Steven Johanson

July 25th, 2021

Mr. Little will be dearly missed. I always admired his singing and musical talent.

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss he was a teacher of mine and my daughter. Workman and Peterman families

July 25th, 2021

So sorry to hear of his passing. What an extraordinary person he was! For many of us growing up in Astoria, he was one of few consistent contacts at school. He read us stories in kindergarten, checked our books out in junior high, and taught us English all through high school. He was a spectacular teacher, but more importantly a great human being and lover of Jesus.

July 25th, 2021

(continued) He will be missed so much. Shannon and Tim Stambaugh

July 25th, 2021

The world was a better place with him in it. We will miss him. So sorry for your loss
Steve & Sharon Musson

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. David was my teacher and a substitute teacher for my daughter Lily. He was a good friend of my parents as well. He will be truly missed.

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. David was my teacher and a substitute teacher for my daughter Lily. He was a good friend of my parents as well. He will be truly missed. Alicia and Lily Lehman

July 25th, 2021

David was a beautiful person..always had a smile and kind word. Loved his singing and sharing a children's book when he preached. Deepest sympathy. Marilyn Sillars

July 25th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Mr. Little will be missed by so many in Astoria and the surround area.

July 25th, 2021

Oh Margaret, you are in our prayers! 🙏🙏
David will be missed by many but we know especially by you. 💖. His love for you and Jesus was obvious and his joyous attitude contagious. The choir could usually count on an “AMEN” from David when he attended church with you. 😊
💕 Mark & Debbie Belzer (Jacksonville)

July 26th, 2021

Prayers for David's family. I enjoyed working with David on conferences, etc. He will be greatly missed.

July 26th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. David spent many hours working for AISLE the school librarians association. He and I rode to numerous meetings together and I always enjoyed his kindness and good humor. RIP my friend. Caroline Campbell

July 26th, 2021

Death is part of life. However arduous it is the way one lives on us through memory. I am very glad to have been affected by his work. He will always be loved and appreciated. Wherever you are in the stages of grief I’m sure he wants you to be kind to yourself and others! Love and light!

July 26th, 2021

Dear Margaret, This is a terrible shock! I’m am so sorry for your loss, a loss many of us share. Dave and I worked on many ISLMA/AISLE projects and served on the Board and numerous committees together, drove to meetings together and became friends. He always filled me in on how you were doing and was always thinking of you. I know he thoroughly enjoyed your travels together. He will be missed by so many. Thinking of you. Rest peacefully Dave.

July 26th, 2021

Margaret,
We are thinking of you and sending our love.
David was a wonderful son.
Sue and Dede

July 26th, 2021

I am so sorry for David’s loss. He was a great man. I worked with David on several committees with him in ISLMA/AISLE board. He will be missed by all that knew him. RIP.
Mary Jo Matousek.

July 26th, 2021

The world needs more men like David Little.
Thanks for all you did to make the world a better place.

July 26th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. I served with David on many AISLE committees and our Board. He was kind, patient and devoted to the work he did. We will miss him so much. Thinking of your family.
Dawn Scuderi

July 26th, 2021

Margaret so glad mom and I got to see you Friday. You and David are such a blessing to us. We have know you, David and Grant my whole life. He was a fabulous son. Love you. Louise Collison and Dennis and Terry Whewell

July 26th, 2021

I am so sorry for you loss - I’ve known David for many years through library association work and have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He was thoughtful, kind, truly committed to all that he did. He always brought his wit and humor, especially at conference time. There is much to admire and remember about David, but especially his devotion as a son. Ruth Shasteen

July 26th, 2021

I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing this morning. As a member and Past President of the ISLMA (now known as AISLE), I had the opportunity to get to know him through his work on the board, as a newsletter editor, and on some committees. I remember vividly in 2014 when he was awarded the Polestar Award from our state library association. I followed him closely on Facebook and always admired his devotion and travels with his mother. He will be missed by many and remembered well for all his contributions. Rest In Peace David. Ken Hawley

July 26th, 2021

We will truly miss him. Margaret you have our prayers. Barry & Sue

July 26th, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. I met David at Cardiac Rehab and always had a great time visiting with him. He will be missed!

July 27th, 2021

As a past teacher at Astoria, I could always depend on David in so many ways. He accommodated students arriving to exchange library books, assist me to find books needed to supplement lessons, and to be a qualified partner by taking on the assignment of co-director of junior high plays just to mention SOME of his assets. He was ALWAYS available, ALWAYS anxious to help, ALWAYS cheerful. The world needs more people like David. He will be missed in a thousand ways. His memory will live on. Margaret, you raised a wonderful son who loved you unconditionally and was a great success in so many ways because of you and your husbands training him. Mary and Lowell Aten

July 27th, 2021

I had the pleasure of meeting David through AISLE and am sad to learn of his passing. May his memory be a blessing to all whose lives he touched.

July 27th, 2021

David was always a joy to be around! He will be missed

July 29th, 2021

Was saddened to hear of Davids passing. Just had a nice visit with David in Lewistown a couple weeks ago. He was always pleasant to visit with . He taught all 3 of our children and all spoke highly of David.
Our sincere condolences. Kay and Harley Curless

July 29th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Donna Snowden

July 29th, 2021

Margaret, I am so sorry about David. I have a lot of good memories of him and are class of 1972. He was the smartest student in our class. Always so nice. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Marilyn Placke

July 30th, 2021

So sorry for your lost

July 30th, 2021

So sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed in the area. Judy Wilson

July 30th, 2021

I had the pleasure of meeting David through AISLE and serving on a few committees with him over the years. He was a warm, generous, and delightful person. May you hold your memories of him close during this difficult time. Sincerely, Christine Hahn Cahill

August 1st, 2021

He will always be Mr.Little to me. He was one of my favorite teachers and just a wonderful person. He will be missed.

August 2nd, 2021

David always gave so freely of his time to help out the AISLE. Working with him at many meetings, I always marveled at his ability to keep on the positive. A truly great loss. My condolences. Jeanne' Aken

August 9th, 2021

So very sorry to hear of Mr. Little's passing. He such a wonderful teacher, pianist and librarian but one of the sweetest souls I have ever met. Even after graduating in 1983 he always still remembered me upon my return to Astoria 30 years later. Always a kind word and a sweet smile. He loved his mama and made no bones about it. May God help you through this difficult time.
Patty Danner Kolves

August 19th, 2021

Condolences to you and yours
David taught me about life not just in school but real life.
Sincerely
Jeffrey L Smith

September 10th, 2021

I am so sad to read of Dave's death in The Current this morning. My husband and I got to know him and his wonderful group of friends (Joanne, Marian, etc.) many years ago when we were selling oil paintings. We had some of our best times with them in Astoria. They were all such a joy to be with because it was so obvious that they enjoyed each others' company so much. We kept in touch with Dave through Christmas cards and looked forward to seeing his newsletter detailing the trips he and his mom made during the year. He was such a loving son and fine Christian man. My sincere condolences and prayers to his mom, family, and friends. He will be missed.
Suzanne Morio
Mascoutah, IL