David Neil Lewis

David Neil Lewis, 84, passed away on June 27, 2025, after a short illness. He was born
September 17, 1940, to William George and Esther Helen (Wilson) Lewis. David attended
public schools in Terre Haute, including Fairbanks and Sarah Scott, and graduated with honors
from Wiley High School with the class of 1958, and in 1961 from Indiana State Teacher's
College, now Indiana State University, with a B.S. in biological science and social studies.
Inspired by his love for history, he earned his master's degree in 1968 in social studies.
He began his career in education teaching in Clinton for three years and Vincennes for eleven
years before finding a true work home in Special Collections at the Vigo County Public Library,
where he worked for 33 years.
A defining influence in David’s life was the 1942 children’s book The Little House by Virginia
Lee Burton, a story that instilled in him a reverence for simplicity, the passage of time, and the
importance of preserving what matters most. That ethos came to life in his care for his cherished
home—the Williams-Warren-Zimmerman House, affectionately known as the Cottage-Among-
the-Lindens. Built in 1849 and relocated in 1874 to its current stead, the Greek Revival gem
became David’s lifelong passion project. He restored it with great devotion and took immense
pride when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
David’s interests were rich and varied: he loved antiques, local lore, old cemeteries, and drives in
his metallic lilac mist 1965 Pontiac Bonneville convertible. He also adored his Papillon, Spunky,
and beloved past canine companions—Andy Joe, Scampy, Hanky, Danny Boy, Wiley, and
Skippy.
David was a founding member of the Farrington’s Grove Historical District nonprofit
organization and one of its three original board members. He proposed the district's name after
reading newspaper accounts from September 1856 that detailed historic orations at "Farrington's
Grove" by figures such as Senator Stephen Douglas of the Lincoln-Douglas debate fame and
Oliver P. Morton, who became the 14th Governor of Indiana and later served as a U.S. Senator.
The designation was bestowed in 1986. It is befitting that David's obituary include a history
lesson.
David was the recipient of a life-changing kidney donation over 40 years ago. In his honor, the
family encourages everyone to consider becoming an organ donor. We also express heartfelt
thanks to Walmart for providing David with a personal shopper when his eyesight failed, and to
Terre Hautes ADA bus service through Thrive West Central, which helped him maintain his
independence.
David was preceded in death by his sisters, Majorie A. (Lewis) Otto (Arthur, IL) and Patricia
(Patty) K. (Lewis) Henry Leatherman (Kodak, TN), and his niece, Lesley L. (Otto) Banks
(Arthur, IL). He is survived by two nieces, Julie A. Michl (Arthur, IL) and Vickie L. Henry (and
her wife, Claire Humphrey) (Boston, MA), two great nephews, two great nieces, one great great
nephew, and his treasured dog Spunky.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate David's life at an open house at 904 S. 4th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807, on
Sunday, July 13, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Farrington Grove Historic District, St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital, the American Kidney Fund, and Thrive West Central.

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