David L. Fortney

David Lee Fortney, 69, of Kirksville, passed away Monday, June 20, 2011, at the home of his parents, under Hospice care.

The son of Carl Jr. and Virginia Dale (Davidson) Fortney, David was born April 11, 1942 in Kirksville. David married Mary Lou Marling in Jackson, SC in 1966 while he was stationed in the Army.

David is survived by his son, David C. Fortney of Chicago, IL; his parents, Charles and Virginia Chace of Kirksville; one brother, C. Dale Fortney of Kirksville; several nieces and nephews and other beloved extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Fortney, Jr.

David graduated from the Macon High School and later graduated from KSTC (now Truman State University); with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He later went on to earn a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he was a Frank Luther Mott Fellow in Magazine Journalism. David joined the United States Army and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He served in Vietnam as a Public Information Officer, with the 11th Calvary and worked closely with the AP, UPI and The Stars and Stripes. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Vietnamese Honor Medal, Second Class for meritorious service in The Republic of Vietnam. In his professional life, he was employed by the Kirksville Daily Express, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Radio Free Europe and Truman State University where he advised The Index and started a new magazine, Detours. As a freelance writer, David has been published in magazines ranging from the Readers Digest, Midwest Living and Good Housekeeping; to the Rotarian, Kiwanian and Guidepost. He also wrote a book, “The Mysterious Places”.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Carrol Davenport officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Lee Vorkink, Stuart Vorkink, Mark Fanning, David Stibbs, Kyle Huff and Alex Lazella.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday evening, June 24, 2011, at the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Avenue, Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

The family has suggested memorials to Hospice of Northeast Missouri.