David "Butch" Tempel

David “Butch” Kenneth Tempel was a surprise arrival with his twin sister, Dolores; on April 1, 1948 to John and Leone Tempel in Havre, MT.  He attended the Grassy Butte School from the first through seventh grade.  He finished his high school education on as a Joplin Bulldog, and participated in basketball, track, and football where he set a school record in track.

He ran away from home and joined the Navy in 1967.  Butch was stationed on the U.S.S. Lawerence in the M division as a machinist.  When he got home, he started dating his first love, Lonna Lybeck.  They were married on December 19, 1971.  They moved to Billings, MT where he attended the vo-tech and received his associate degree and had their first daughter.

They moved back home north of Joplin, where he worked for Lloyd and Fern Wolery.  He and Lonna continued to add to their family with two more daughters and a son.  The purchased the Joplin Husky station.  After he sold the station, he worked the family farm for several years before starting his construction company.  He continued to help people make their homes beautiful to his last day.

Butch enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, smoking turkeys and sharing with friends and family, and having magic campfires.  He was an avid sports fan, following his children and grandchildren in their adventures and gaining more “grandchildren” in the process.  He was never caught without a sucker to give out to all the kids that referred to him as “Papa”.  He was the Joplin volunteer fire chief for many years.    He was a reserve Liberty County Deputy and was on several boards, including the Joplin Water Board, Joplin Commercial club, Immanuel Lutheran church, the Disaster Relief board for Liberty County and other may other boards.  He was generous with his time and would help anyone who was in need.  He was the go-to guy people called on when they needed something fixed.

Butch passed away November 29, 2017. Services were held Tuesday, December 5, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin.

He is survived by his four children; Jennie (Curtis) Payne, Rebecca, Trusten, TyLynn; Jada (Cory) Fraser, Kayona, Abby; Jalena (Bret) Preeshl, Tande, Thatcher; and Jeb Tempel.  Siblings: Linda (Dennis) Moore, twin sister Dolores (John) Cicon, Rod (Joanne) Tempel, Joan (Scott) Thompson, Tim (Carol) Tempel, and Scott (Christi) Tempel; several nieces, nephews, and cousins and one special friend Mary Walker and her family.  He is preceded in death by his wife Lonna Lybeck Tempel, parents John and Leone Tempel, in-laws Clifford and Shirley Lybeck, grandson Dawson Fraser, and his favorite cat Sugar Daddy.

Memorials can be sent to the Joplin Fire department, Joplin park, Joplin Commercial Club, or donor’s choice.