David Culbertson

Dave was born on December 1, 1940, in Hannibal, MO, the son of Robert Ellsworth and Lola Mae Dameron Culbertson. He married Rose Ann M. Freiburg on April 21, 1972, in Quincy, IL.

Dave served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1971. He began his career as a zookeeper at the Kansas City Zoo and then moved to Jackson, MS to work at their zoo. Dave retired from Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield in 2004, but continued to volunteer at the zoo working with the snakes and lizards. He was also a member of Vintage Iron Riders and Lincoln Land ABATE. Dave enjoyed working on model trains and playing Scrabble.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shareen; one niece; and one nephew.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann of Springfield; son, Matthew Culbertson of IA; daughter, Dea Lynne Culbertson of OH; sisters, Alice (husband, Warren) Woodrome and Christine Duffy, both of Oklahoma City, OK; one niece; and one nephew.

Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 1:00 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Shore Dr., Springfield.