David John “Big D” Koehler
David John “Big D” Koehler, of Plainville, passed away on February 5, 2026, from Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville.
He was born on February 11, 1947, to Anthony and Ruth (Anich) Koehler in Sterling, Colorado.
He had numerous occupations, from OTR Truck Driver and Car Salesman to Machinist and Tool and Die Maker in Colorado, and in the Aircraft Industry in California and Kansas. After injuring his back, he changed career direction and started a new chapter in the food service business as a food concessionaire, participating in fairs and festivals in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Florida, and Oklahoma. The business known as Chubbs & Spudds is something he and Paula thoroughly enjoyed for 30 years.
Dave married young and later divorced, but from that marriage, he had four children: Rick, Tanjee, Shay, and Mistee. In 1979, he moved to California, where he met the love of his life, Paula Mayhew. In 1982, they married in Las Vegas, Nevada, and they shared 46 wonderful years.
Dave is survived by his wife of the home, Paula Mayhew Koehler; sons, Chad Persing of Plainville, Rick Koehler and Shay Koehler; daughters, Tanjee Eubanks (Cliff) of Loveland, Colo. and Mistee Maupin (Jose) of Greeley, Colo.; four brothers, Dennis Koehler (Jana Rae) of Fleming, Colo., Doug Koehler (Lynn) of Sterling, Colo., Thomas Koehler of Fleming, Colo., and Jeff Koehler (Joe); sister-inlaw, Carol Pywell of Palco; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Ruth (Anich) Koehler; his father- and mother-in-law, Paul and June Mayhew; and his brothers-in-law, Gary Mayhew and Richard Pywell.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the VFW, 105 S. Jefferson St., Plainville. Join them for food, fellowship, and stories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the David Koehler Memorial Fund and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease. com
