David James Youngblut, 77, of Freeport, IL., died Wednesday March 18, 2026. He was born in Freeport on July 13, 1948. His parents were Richard and Carol (Plowman) Youngblut. Dave went to school in Freeport and graduated from Aquin High School in 1966. He briefly worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C., and then returned to Illinois to graduate from HCC and Northern Illinois University. While he was in DC he earned his pilot’s license.

Dave had a varied work life. He worked for Newell Rubbermaid in sales and marketing. Then he pursued his love of flying and worked at small airports, was a pilot for ASA, a commuter airline that was part of Delta. He came back to Freeport to serve as Chief Pilot for Furst McNess and retired from there as VP Operations.

Dave served in the Army Reserves during Viet Nam era. He was a member of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Dave loved airplanes, trains, his old Corvairs and Porches, and tooling around his property on his Ranger. He loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers. As his health declined, he found new hobbies making candles, baking bread, and painting landscapes. Throughout their marriage, Dave and Mary traveled the world.

Dave is survived by his wife Mary, his sisters Dixie Gantz of Bakersville, NC, Jeanne Youngblut of Freeport, and his brother Paul of Livingston, CA. He enjoyed his extended family of in-laws and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Dan and his parents.

In keeping with Dave’s wishes he was cremated. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas in Freeport on Thursday March 26 at 10:00 am. Fr. Peter Snieg will officiate.  Visitation will be before the service, at St. Thomas, starting at 9:00 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery immediately following the service. A memorial has been established in Dave's memory.