David Joe Rutherford, 74, passed away peacefully on May 15th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
David was born on April 23rd, 1951, in Salem, IN to parents Francis Rutherford and Leora Bush Rutherford. He was the oldest of his siblings: Becky Rutherford, who survives, and Steve Rutherford and Grace Ann Bowers, who preceded him in death.
On April 7th, 1973, David married his great love Judy Moore Rutherford, who survives. Together they raised two daughters: Ashlea (Richard) Barnett of Fishers, IN and Kristin (Tim) Stricker of Columbus, IN. David is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren: Katie, Olivia, and Ella Barnett, and Henry and Callum Stricker.
After graduating from Eastern High School, David attended diesel mechanical school in Nashville, Tennessee. He returned to Salem and landed his first job working for Morris Payne, which began his love for working on tractors. Later he worked for Easterdays in Orleans, Indiana, followed by a job at Bryant Implements in Seymour, IN. In 1993, Dave became self-employed, and you could find him in the fields, under a tractor, or on the road from dawn to dusk. For those who knew Dave, you knew the only “true” color of a tractor was John Deere green. Dave passed this love of tractors on to his grandchildren, and they will all tell you that “nothing runs like a Deere.”
David was a member of the Salem Church of the Nazarene, and was a man who believed deeply in the power of prayer.
Funeral services will be held at 12PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at Weathers Funeral Home in Salem, IN. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 20th from 4PM-8PM and Wednesday May 21st from 10AM until time of service.
