Mr. David Joseph Dirksen, age 77, of Madison, Indiana entered this life on December 26, 1940 at the family home in New Weston, Ohio. He was the son of the late Gregory and Elizabeth I. Wilkinson Dirksen.

His early life was spent in New Weston and North Star. He was a 1959 graduate of Marion High School in Maria Stein, Ohio. His first job after graduation was working as a mechanic at Willowdell in Ohio.

On November 21, 1964 David was united in marriage to Rosemary Louise Hess at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Carthagena, Ohio. This happy union of 54 years was blessed with Doug, Alan, Arlene and Timothy. The family settled in the Madison community in 1977.

David was a mechanic at heart and worked for several mechanics in Ohio and had opened his own business, Dirksen's Garage in Ohio. He had farmed all of his life and loved John Deere Tractors. After moving to Madison he served as a mechanic at Dicus Farm Equipment, Russell's Equipment, Blair Equipment and Anderson's.

He had last worked as a mechanic and bus driver for the Madison Consolidated School System. He served as a private mechanic for others in the community and for the Prince of Peace Schools and Parish. He was a faithful member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church and had served on parish council.

David and Rosemary loved square dancing and had been members of the Clifty Swinger's Dance Club. They also loved playing cards and were members of the local card clubs. He was a fan of John Deere Tractors, and driver, Jeff Gordon with NASCAR racing. David was civic minded and while living in Ohio he was a volunteer fire fighter in North Star.

David was a devoted husband, caring for his beloved wife after her stroke and recovery. He was a dad who enjoyed teaching his kids about the farm and equipment and was a loving grandpa.

David died on Sunday, December 23, 2018, at 7:20 p.m. at the River Terrace Health Campus in downtown Madison, Indiana.

A loving family: David will be missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Rosemary Louise Hess Dirksen of Madison, Indiana; his loving sons, Doug Dirksen and his wife, Dottie of Dupont, Indiana, Alan J. Dirksen and his fiancée, Beth Hankins of Madison, Indiana, Timothy Dirksen and his wife, Kelly of Madison, Indiana; his loving daughter, Arlene Dirksen Semon and her husband, Jacob of Madison, Indiana; his adoring grandchildren, Laura, Jalene, Dustin, Dylan, and Bailey; his brothers, Clete Dirksen of New Weston, Ohio, John Dirksen and his wife, Shirley of Portersville, Mississippi, Michael Dirksen and his wife, Sherry of Greenville, Ohio; his sister, Kathleen Gasson of Versailles, Ohio; his sisters in law and brothers in law, Sister Edna Hess of Santiago, Chili, Martha Hoying and her husband, Judge Fred Hoying of Madison, Indiana, Carl Hess and his wife, Eileen of Caledonia, Ohio, John Hess and his wife, Rita of Dayton, Ohio, Joe Hess and his wife, Ann of Carthagena, Ohio, Lester Hess and his wife, Sharon of Columbus, Ohio, Anita Dirksen of Rossburg, Ohio, Marilyn Dirksen of New Weston, Ohio, Kathy Schultz of Hawaii; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Dirksen, died November 2, 1998, his mother, Elizabeth I. Wilkinson Dirksen, died Sept. 25, 2004, his twin sisters, Mary Margaret and Mary Ann Dirksen, died December 24, 1939, and his brothers, Ronald James Dirksen, died Nov. 6, 2013, William Dirksen, died Oct. 7, 1981 and Ben Dirksen, died March 30, 2008.

Memorial Mass: Funeral Mass will be conducted Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., celebrated by Father Christopher A. Craig at the St. Patrick Catholic Chapel, 305 West State Street in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, 305 West State Street in Madison, Indiana.

Visitation: Friends may visit Wednesday, January 2, 2019 from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

The rosary: The rosary will be prayed on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre.

Memorial expressions: Memorial contributions may be made to the Steeple for the People. Cards are available at the funeral homes and the church.

Online condolences, http://www.morgan-nay.com.