David Dean Fairchild, 68, of West Liberty, Ohio, passed away Saturday, December 20, 2008, in the Miami Valley Hospital Dayton, Ohio. He was born in Champaign County on October 22, 1940, the son of the late Charles and Mary (Gaver) Fairchild.  Also preceding him in death were his sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Robert Long.

He is survived by his wife, Diane (Detwiler) Fairchild, whom he married on December 28, 1960 in DeGraff, Ohio; two sons, D. Darin (Patty)Fairchild of West Liberty and Derrick (Terri) Fairchild of Vale, North Carolina; two daughters, Dana (Joe) Smith of Urbana, Ohio and Nikki (Mark Marsilis) Fairchild of Woodstock, Ohio; two brothers, John (Peggy) Fairchild and Steve (Deb) Fairchild, both of West Liberty; one sister, Linda (John) Clark of West Liberty; 10 grandchildren, Codey and Cameron Smith, Misty Kielman, Laurie Woods, Dustin and TJ Fairchild, Brittney, Jessica, and Charlie Fairchild, and Timmy Marsalis; and six great grandchildren.

He was a lifelong farmer and a member of Pheasants Forever, and owned and operated Fairchild Pheasant Farm, where he raised his own.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, picking mushrooms, and searching for arrowheads.  He loved watching his grandchildren�s sporting events and taking his family and friends rides on his John Deere Gator.  He spent much of his pastime with friends and fellow farmers at the Gathering Place in West Liberty.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty, where the funeral service will begin at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, with Pastor Will Stackhouse officiating.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Liberty Rescue Squad 201 N. Detroit Street West Liberty, Ohio 43357.