David C. Strock of rural Defiance died Monday, July 6, 2026 in Defiance, Ohio, just 2 two weeks before his 81st birthday. He was born to Cecil and Louisa (Mires) Strock of Liberty Center, Ohio on July 25, 1945. He was active in choir, band and FFA in Liberty Center High School, where he graduated in 1963 with classmates who remained lifelong friends.

He was serving in the US Army in Frankfort Germany, when his daughter Sheila was born and living in Liberty Center when his son Jeff was born.

He helped his dad in the harness horse racing industry for a bit, but his real calling was as a long-distance semi-truck driver. David drove for several area trucking firms before eventually establishing his own business. Across the miles, his fellow truckers knew him by his handle, Racetrack.

When he and Diane Armbruster, the mother of his children, dissolved their marriage, he became involved in Parents without Partners. That’s where he met an industrious mother of three boys who was operating a fruit farm south of Defiance by herself. He and Charlene (LaRue) Andrews were married on August 30, 1980.

Because of his mechanical skills, in the 19 years following his pancreatic cancer surgery, he was able to restore a 1956 Chevy and a 1973 International truck. He and Charlene even drove the Chevy on the entire famous Route 66! Together they were members of the River City Rodders and the Maumee Valley Car Club participating in about 35 shows and cruise-ins each year. Dave was proud of his many trophies and dash plaques collected over the years.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlene, his children Sheila (Peter) Celani, Napoleon and Jeffrey (Brenda) Strock, Liberty Center, his step-sons Harold (Lisa) Andrews, Winterhaven, FL., Marvin (Cathy) Andrews, Defiance and Donald (Jill) Andrews of Granville, grandchildren, Amber (Josh) Sonnenberg and Amanda (Taylor Brown) Celani, Jessica and Kyle (Madison French) Ratliff, Sophie and Kash Andrews, Matthew and Tommy (Amanda) Stephens, Nathan and Dylan Andrews. Great grandchildren: Meredith and Makenna Sonnenberg, Logan Ratliff, Elizabeth and Aubrie Nickler.

Also surviving are his siblings Cecily (Jerry) Rohrs, Archbold, John (Pat) Strock, Liberty Center and Charlotte Shrider, Napoleon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest brother Leon Bonner, his youngest brother Jamie Strock, and brother-in-law Dudley Shrider.

Services are planned at the Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson-Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton Street) in Defiance on Friday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m. with David’s sister Cecily Rohrs officiating. Visitation will be there from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial suggestions are to the Highland Township Fire Department, the Colton United Methodist Church P.O. Box 12, Liberty Center, Ohio 43532 or Interim Hospice of Lima. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.