Life History of David Elmer Astle August 12, 1902 - June 6, 1974

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Margarita worked at the elementary school as the secretary and when the janitor, Alma Leonhardt Sr. was retiring Margarita suggested to David that he apply for the position. It would be less income but David would be at home, he would be his own boss and there was good insurance. David talked to Superintendent Lloyd Theurer and was hired as the janitor for Providence School. He also drove the school bus for a short time for the school district.

David kept the building and grounds immaculate for ten years with the help of his sons and three assistant janitors, Blanch Hill, Bud Mason, and Eldon Hodges.

Working as a janitor allowed David to be at home where he enjoyed gardening, yard work, and the out of doors with his boys.

David also volunteered as a janitor at the Logan Temple for three years following his retirement from Providence School.

David and Margarita were blessed with three sons, Ernest, Dale, and John. On a couple of occasions, because of David's age, he was mistaken for the grandfather rather than the father of the three boys. David and Margarita raised their sons to be strong and responsible men who have strived to excel in all their responsibilities.

The family enjoyed taking trips together and would often venture out on camping trips. They usually headed to Star Valley a couple of times a year. There they would visit with family and David would look for a piece of farm land in hopes of moving his family back to the Valley he had grown to love as a youth. Every Memorial Day the family would go to Star Valley to clear the family graves of the wild roses that grew in the cemetery and place fresh flowers on the graves.

David loved to spend time with his family doing things together. Many times they would take a few days to camp usually in one of the canyons to the east of Cache Valley. These camps were in tents and open camp fires to cook over. They almost always involved fishing in the local streams and fish fry's were always a part of dinner. Short fishing trips were frequently taken in late afternoons and he would spent time teaching his boys to drown a worm and frequently small fish were caught. A lot of good memories were created between father and sons in the out of doors hunting or fishing. Even though he was never a hunter in his youth, he made it a point to take his son hunting when he (Dale) insisted that he would hunt when he turned 15 ½. That first year did not produce a deer but afford great bonding between father and son with a lot of walking in the mountains.

Some of David's church callings were Stake Missionary, Sunday School Superintendency, Elders Quorum advisor, High Priest Group secretary, and Boy Scouts advisor. David and Willis Leonhardt were both involved in creating the original charter for Cub Scouts in the Logan Stake. David was the chairman for the Genealogical Organization and with help from Clyde and Marian Demler, Adrian and Kathleen Gail, as well as several other couples. They collected names and dates of all those who had been buried in the Providence Cemetery for church records. The completed list was also given to Providence City so the sexton would have a record of who was buried in the cemetery.

David was a very loving and kind man, who was easy tempered and would walk away from a fight. He had a heart of gold and was extremely proud of his family. David always put priority in his life. He taught his sons to get their work done first and then play. He always said if the job is worth doing than it is worth doing it right. He was extremely honest in his dealings and felt that his word was better than a bond. He would always finish what he started. He taught his children that if you agree to do something than get it done and no excuses should be offered. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and a man that had no enemies. He was very unpretentious and a friend to all.

David and Margarita were blessed to see each of their children married for time and eternity in the Holy Temple of the Lord.

Ernest David Astle married Sylvia Margaret Wuthrich on May 14, 1965 in the Logan Temple. They have raised three children; David Scott, Steven Blaine, and Jeffrey Lynn.

Dale Foerster Astle married Charlotte Christina Poulson on September 8, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have raised four children; Catherine, Robert Dale, Christina, and James Jonathan.

John Foerster Astle married Diane Johnson, on September 26 1969 in the Logan Temple. They have raised three children; Lori Marie, Travis Glen, and Troy John.

David was blessed to meet all but two of his grandchildren in this life. James and Troy were born after his death.

In April of 1974 David contracted pneumonia; he was in and out of the hospital for two months. He passed from this life on June 6, 1974. He died in his own home surrounded by his loving family. He was buried in the Providence Cemetery on June 10th.

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