David Dean Shropshire, 38, of Edwards, formerly of Peoria, passed away at 1:33 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at home with his family, after a 2 1/2 year battle with metastatic esophageal cancer.
     David was born on July 31, 1968 in Ventura, CA, son of Boyd David and Peggy Gebhardt Shropshire. He married Cynthia (Clausen) Shropshire, M.D. on June 10, 2004 in Lake Tahoe, NV. She survives.
     David is also survived by his daughter, Haley Lynn Shropshire, 13, of Peoria; two sons, Michael Brandon, 18, and David Blake Shropshire, 19, both of Creve Coeur; father, Boyd David (Karen) Shropshire of Farmington; mother, Peggy (Jim) Marrs of Peoria; two brothers, Kenneth (Lois) Shropshire and Jerry Marrs, both of Peoria; two sisters, April Moore and Marjorie Marrs, both of Pekin; and his paternal grandmother, Josie Shropshire of Stigler, OK. Multiple loving members of his extended family also survive.
     His paternal grandfather, Oscar Shropshire, and maternal grandparents, Marjorie and Delmer Gebhardt, preceded him in death.
     David was an electrician for Jerry Horn Electric in Peoria and was formerly a truck driver for WKP, O'Brien Steel, City of West Peoria, Prairie Farms and Brinks Armoured Cars. David attended Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria with his wife Cindy. He loved his family and children and was deeply loved by them in return. His motorcycle was his second love.
     David served in the U.S. Army with the European Command (EUCOM) from February 25, 1987 until April 6, 1991 as a mortar infantryman. His military career included tours in Germany where he served as a border guard and was present for the fall of the Berlin Wall. During Desert Storm he was member of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armor Division in Saudi Arabia. David's platoon was one of the leading coalition forces that entered Iraq and was credited with destroying an Iraqi Republican Guard artillery unit that had stopped the progress of a U.S. tank battalion.
     While enlisted, David earned the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Expert Marksmanship Badge for Rifle/M-16, Pistol/45 Caliber, Grenade and Mortar.
     David enjoyed riding motorcycles, collecting and shooting guns, relaxing in the jacuzzi and spending time at home and in California. He loved spending his time with his children; friends and family, especially with his wife, Cindy; cousins, Butch and Oscar; and his brother, Kenny.
     He enjoyed listening to Metal music, with older Metallica and the Cult being his favorites. His favorite song was "Breaking the Law", by Judas Priest. David was a fan of football, especially the Chicago Bears and Brian Urlacher.
     His family is proud of him for his bravery, strength, love of family and his perseverance with adversity. He will be remember as Brave ... Courageous ... Spirited ... Loving... Having a Big Heart...and as the love of Cindy's life - her Rock, Hero and Best Friend.
     Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2006, at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, 3000 W. Richwoods Blvd., with the Reverend Michael W. Brown officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, with military honors by the Inter Veterans’ Burial Detail of Sangamon County. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the David Shropshire Children’s Educational Fund at Morton Community Bank.
     Arrangements are entrusted to Clary Funeral Consultants in Peoria.