David A Wellman

David A. Wellman, 73, of Cozad, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at his home and is now at peace after a hard fought battle with illness.

He was born on January 20, 1950 in Santa Cruz, California, to Martin J. and Lois E. (Wiest) Wellman. At an early age his family moved to Ogallala, Nebraska. David attended public schools in Ogallala and graduated from Ogallala High School with the class of 1968. 

Following High School, David enlisted in the United States Navy on September 25, 1969 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War, where he spent nearly 18 months. He was honorably discharged on April 29, 1975.

David was united in marriage to the love of his life, Anne Galaviz on January 21, 1975 in Kearney, Nebraska. Two sons were blessed to this union: Zachary and Jesse. The family made their home in Ogallala for a few years where David put up Grain Bins. They moved to Lexington in the late 1970’s where David worked for Deeter’s Machine and Eilers Machine & Welding Inc. as an accomplished welder. In 1990, his family moved to Cozad, David continued working for Eilers before spending 20 years at Tenneco Monroe Automotive in Cozad. 

David was an avid outdoorsman. He loved going camping with his family and spending most of his days fishing, which was his passion. He enjoyed spending time outside working on his gardening and always kept an immaculate yard. If he wasn’t working in his yard, he would be working on his truck. When his children were younger, David never missed a moment to attend all their school activities. Dave had a witty personality and was a great conversationalist. He was known to leave everyone he talked to with a smile and maybe a couple of one-liners!

Survivors include his wife, Anne of Cozad; his boys, Zachary (Amber) Wellman of Edmond, Oklahoma and Jesse (Heather) Wellman of Cozad; three grandchildren, Cheyenne, Max and Temperance; four sisters, Kathy (Saad) Eways of Austin, Texas, Marsha (Bill) Border of Canton, Ohio, Barbara Wellman of Kearney, and Paula Wellman of Fredericksburg, Ohio; brother and sister in-laws, Domingo (Marcy) Galaviz of Gibbon, Antonia (Ray) Garcia of Lexington, Louisa (Nestor) Garcia of Ogallala, Josephine (Alan) White of Lexington, Carolyn (Mike) Smidt of Lexington, Rebecca Fitch of Lexington, Marilyn (Larry) Logan of Omaha, Ron (Cherie) Galaviz of Newbury Park, California, Rita Linley of Lexington, Natalie (Mike) Burns of Portland, Oregon and Deb Mettenbrink of Kearney; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Besides his parents, David was preceded in death by his brother and sister in-laws, Manuel Galaviz, Pauline (Robert) Wood, and Ken Fitch.

Graveside Services with Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.

There will be no visitation, as the family is honoring David’s wish for cremation. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.  Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com