David H. Offner, 92, died early on the morning of December 5, 2015.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel, and three sons: Larry of Ontario, Canada; Kevin of Washington D.C. and Randall of Urbana. Also, by three grandchildren: Lindsay and Carolyn in Ontario and David Offner II in Washington D.C.

David earned a Ph.D and was a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Illinois. He was a veteran of World War II, having been deferred for many years because he was in engineering. When "battle of the bulge" came about, all deferrals were cancelled. Dave was poised on the Pacific coast ready to go to battle with the Japanese just when the war ended.

He returned to teach at the U of I and also became active in beginning the first chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IV) at this university, later becoming faculty advisor to IV. Dave and Hazel were active with many different types of students and faculty in small groups. For years, they opened their home every Saturday night to students who would come and sit on the floor playing games, talking about their interests and listening as Christian students shared casually about their faith from time to time. Dave was also asked to be advisor of the Chinese Student Club of 600 or more Chinese students. The Offners' home was filled with many students from literally all over the world, some who spoke openly about their faith. Dave also started a group of faculty members who met once a week bringing a sack lunch at the Illini Union, with someone sharing his/her story and others listening to these stories as they heard for the first time about the speakers faith. This group has continued, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, now several large groups of leaders, hosted for years the "Urbana" convention at the Assembly Hall. "Urbana," as it was called, outgrew the space here, and now it meets every other year in a large arena in St. Louis, but still under the same name "Urbana." The three Offner sons have all been involved in InterVarsity.

Surviving Dave are three sisters: Flora Loshbough in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Lee Paxton in Zion, Illinois and Mavis Hines of Ann Arbor, Michigan plus a number of nieces and nephews.

Dave was an active member of Twin City Bible Church (TCBC) and, for many years, taught the adult Christian Education Class there. He served on the leadership board which brought Pastors Jim Conway, Bill Meier and others to the church. (Shannon Caughey is presently the pastor at TCBC and a good friend.)

Perhaps the best kept secret in Champaign-Urbana is the Urbana Theological Seminary. President of the Seminary is Dr. Kenneth Cuffey who, with others, teaches various theological/Biblical courses which can lead to a master's degree in theology. Or anyone can sign up for just a single course. Brochures are in the church foyer.

Love gifts in memory of Dave may be given to the seminary at 314 E. Daniel St., Champaign 61820 or to the Twin City Bible Church.