David Wiethop

David John Wiethop, 44, of Orlando, Fla., died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, at Florida South Hospital in Orlando.

He was born April 1, 1962, in Cape Girardeau, son of Carroll and Anne Tuthill Wiethop.

He was a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., with a major in English.

David distinguished himself throughout a 22-year writing career as a reporter, columnist and award-winning editor. He worked as a reporter in Flat River, Mo., Galesburg, Ill., Kokomo, Ind., Elgin, Ill., and Winter Haven, Fla.

He was editor of the Fulton Sun in Fulton, Mo., and won numerous awards. He also served as writer and editor of several trade magazines in Chicago and Orlando. At the time of his death he was editor of The Watermark in Orlando.

David developed a love of writing while a student at Westminster College. A lot of talent and persistence made a career of writing.

He was a member of Orlando Metropolitan Church.

He is survived by his father; a sister and her husband, Pat and Gib Renner; a brother and his wife, Dan and Evelyn Wiethop, all of Cape Girardeau; three nephews, Scott and his wife Christie Renner and Tim and his wife Jennifer Renner of Cape Girardeau, Matthew Wiethop of Jackson; and three great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Daniel Hackney officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.