David Joe Small

On June 11, 2026, David Joe Small (Dave), 84, of Springville, Utah passed away peacefully. As the ninth of 11 children, Dave was born in Wabash County, Indiana on November 6, 1941. Despite early hardships, Dave was a resilient, gentle and loving child.

In high school, Dave participated in student government, baseball, football, choir and theater. After graduating high school, Dave followed the example of his older brothers and joined the Navy, where he served honorably for three years. After serving in the Navy, Dave began to look for a church to join. At the prompting of his mother, Dave attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was later baptized. The church and his membership were an essential part of his life. Dave enrolled at BYU where he met Drusilla Warner. They were married less than a year later in the Idaho Falls temple. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree from BYU and a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Portland. Dave began his professional career in education as a high school science teacher where he taught for 15 years. He transitioned to computer science for the rest of his working career.

Church was a place that allowed him to serve others and he did so as young men's adviser, gospel doctrine teacher, bishop, counselor in the stake presidency, CES missionary with Drusilla, and as a stake patriarch.

Dave is survived by his wife Drusilla, and six children: LaDonna (Royce) Backman, Lyle (Brooke) Small, Danny (Tammy) Small, Melinda (Jim) Lawrence, Derrell (Julie) Small, Glenn (Kelly) Small, 28 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and his sisters Gay Bronnenberg and Rita McGibbon.

David was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, two sisters and one grandson, Michael Lawrence.

A viewing will be held at Wheeler Mortuary in Springville, (211 E 200 S) on Friday, June 19th from 6-8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the LDS chapel at 555 Averett Avenue in Springville, June 20th at 11:00 am, with a viewing before at 9:30 am.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.