David G. Gaskell, 96 of rural Horton, died Monday, June 22nd at his home shortly after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

He is survived by two daughters, Sue Jones of Wathena, KS and Wendy Mangin of Vincennes, IN, one son Robert of Horton, KS, and one brother, Jim , of Chanute, KS, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and close friend Connie Mayfield of Horton.

He was preceded in death by wife of nearly 60 years Gladys in 2008, one daughter, Peggy and one son, Steve, his parents, two sisters, June Duce Lancaster and Olive Amsbury, and three brothers, Paul Roy, Sam and Tom.

David was born Sept. 11th, 1923 at Poplar, Montana to Garfield & Lorena Gaskell, who had moved from Missouri to Montana to homestead a farm in 1916.   Shortly after his birth, and following several drought years, the family returned to Missouri with baby David and his mother riding in a Ford Model T. The family moved to the “Kennekuk” community of rural Horton in 1938 to work a farm and later purchased it. David graduated from Horton High School in 1941. He farmed with his father and brothers. David & Gladys were married in 1948 at Horton. In the 1960’s David and his brother Tom began a welding business, Gaskell Bolt Co., which operated until the early 1990’s.

Following the death of his brother Tom, David and son Robert started up Gaskell Fabricators. David continued to work & weld there until a few weeks before his death. David and wife Gladys both had a passion for serving the Lord Jesus Christ, and were active in the Methodist church and work missions. Brothers David and Tom designed and built some pre-fab metal buildings beginning in the mid-1970’s for churches in Haiti. They, their families, and other folks in the area worked many evenings and Saturdays to put the components together, then shipping it all from Miami, FL by ship to Haiti, then traveling to the country and together with local workers, erected the buildings, many of which still serve Christian communities there. In later years, David and Connie volunteered at the Kabeah Fellowship near Horton, working with children.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date at Horton United Methodist church. A private graveside service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to Horton United Methodist, God’s Mountain Camp of Rushville, MO, or Midland Ministries of St. Joseph, MO, they maybe sent in care of Dishon-Maple Chaney Mortuary who are in charge of arrangements. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com