David “Dave” Lee Gwinn, 73, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana.
He was born on July 16, 1948, in Piqua, Ohio, to the late Harry and Virginia (Sutton) Gwinn.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his sisters, Cathy Gwinn Wenrick Boyer (Tom) and Kelly Wright Kremer Wendel (Jerry); and a nephew, Benjamin Wenrick.
Dave was a graduate of Covington High School. He was known as “The Carousel Woodcarver”. Dave carved full-sized to table-top sized carousel and menagerie animals for collectors nationwide. He was ranked among the top five carvers in the country before health issues forced him to retire. Dave carved from the early 1990s through the mid 2000s. Prior to carving, Dave was a master carpet mechanic with Thwaits Floor Fashions in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dave enjoyed being out in his garage and workshop repairing old lawn mowers and garden tractors. When he wasn’t outside, Dave could be found enjoying his favorite science fictions, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, and Babylon 5. It was not uncommon to find him out talking to his neighbors, friends, and family about carousels, vacation spots, and life in general. Dave loved going to Las Vegas and Frankenmuth, Michigan in his early years and taking day trips to area racinos in more recent years as his health permitted.
Dave is survived by his wife of 50 years, Louanna (Wolter) Gwinn, whom he married on July 16, 1971; his brother, Scott Wright of Fort Loramie, Ohio; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eldon and Mary Alice Wolter of Greenville; his brother-in-law, Larry Wolter of Pembroke, Massachusetts; his nieces and nephews, Courtney (James) Wright Maloney of Sidney, Ohio, Andrew “Andy” (Theresa) Kremer of Coldwater, Ohio, Wayne (Teresa) Wenrick of Troy, Ohio, Regina (Ricky) Wenrick Schoenlein of Osgood, Ohio, Bonnie Wenrick Drew of Piqua, Ohio, Charlie (Lisa Kramer) Wolter of Greenville, Carl (Leah) Wolter of Auburn Washington, and Mary (Rob) Wolter Kester of Greenville; and numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service is being planned for a future date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Jefferson. More details to follow.
Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus is serving Dave’s family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Dave’s name to any organization of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com