David Lee Cather, Sr. died peacefully at home in Sherrard, IL on December 6,2016 at the age of 72.
Visitation is scheduled for 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday, December 10, 2016 with a service beginning at 12:00 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 4th Ave E, Milan, with a lunch to follow at the Milan American Legion. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dave’s life. Memorials may be made in care of the family.
Dave Cather was born on August 23, 1944 in Oelwein, IA to Ruth “Rusty” and Harvey Poston. He graduated from Sherrard High School in 1961. He married RaeJean Petterson, his high school sweetheart, on October 26, 1962 and began working for John Deere Plow Planter that same year. The couple welcomed two sons, David Jr. and Robert. The boys have fond memories of their father teaching them to hunt and fish and helping him at E-Z Livin’ Sports Center, which he founded in Milan, IL in 1974 and owned and operated until 2015.
Dave was an avid outdoorsman and participated in many fishing tournaments, B.A.S.S. Anglers Sportsman’s Society events, and enjoyed bow hunting. He was on the Board of Directors of ARRO - Archery Range & Retailers Association for many years and was a member of the Milan Rifle Club, where he served as Territorial Governor for the Illowa Irregulars Cowboy Action Shooting Club. He also co-founded the Bass Clubs for Charity fishing tournament. Dave had a passion for Street Rods and Motorcycles. He served as Crew Chief for both his son, Robert, and his Grandsons, Bobby and Brandon, who raced Go-carts for a number of years. Later in life, Dave established, owned and operated, with the help of his wife and sons, E-Z Acres Alpaca Farm in Sherrard, IL.
He was extremely fond of and found comfort in the constant loyal companionship of his many dogs. The family will forever be grateful to his Great-Niece Skylor Rowe for her love, care, and dedication to Dave during his final months. Dave's family would also like to express their thanks to Mary Freese and Hospice Compassus for their outstanding care.
Dave is survived by his wife of 54 years, RaeJean; children, David Lee Jr. (Michelle) Cather of Colona, IL and Robert Lee (Patricia) Cather of Sherrard IL; 7 grandchildren, Nicholas Cather, Rebecca Graham, Nathaniel Cather, David Fink, Robert Cather Jr., Tabitha Cather, and Brandon Cather; 7 great grandchildren; sister, Linda (Mike) Leonard of Matherville, IL and several other siblings.
He is preceded in death by his mother Ruth “Rusty” Cather; father, Harvey Poston, and siblings; Gregory Cather, Tina Poston, and Charles Poston.
Trader Dave became my mentor when I first began CAS. He brought me along in his way; introducing me to "the Power of the Dark Side," teaching me what it meant to be a posse leader, and eventually passing the TG baton on to me. He was known for his dry sense of humor, his sly ways of making his point, and above all else, his yellow shirts. Although he wasn't able to shoot with us in his last few years, his legacy will always be, as Dave was the driving force behind the construction of Camden Mills, our cowboy town.
Submitted by Count Sandor
