David Edward Hahn

David Edward Hahn, well known businessman and family man heard his Lord say, “Enter in. Well done my loyal servant. You have run the race and kept the faith”. David passed away unexpectedly, resting in his shop, on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Dave was born June 18, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, to Lewis Edward and Maxine Sander Hahn.

Dave was saved at a revival when he was 13 years old, and his Christian faith was always first and foremost in his life. He attended school in Burfordville and Jackson and honorably served six years in the Missouri National Guard.

Dave and Diane Dennis were married February 24, 1968, at the Methodist Church in Whitewater. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Sherry. Tragically, they suffered four miscarriages - two preterm sons and two sets of twin preterm sons.

In 1968, he established David Hahn Excavating and vowed to conduct business based on the Christian principle of Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold”.

During his excavation career, he worked in multiple states, on a multitude of farms, businesses, homes, lakes, ponds, basements, cities, schools, churches, and a church camp. Telling Dave that he couldn’t do something only increased his ingenuity and initiative. If he couldn’t locate a particular tool to repair something, he would personally fabricate the tool he needed.

Dave often used his heavy equipment to help churches in the tri-state area, always saying with a smile, “No charge to churches. It’s my way of giving back to God for blessing me with the skills to help make improvements to His world”. One of his greatest pleasures was mentoring young contractors and then subcontracting with them. Young children loved to watch David work and often said to each other, “Let’s go play David Hahn”.

David was a member of Cape County Cowboy Church and previously attended Haynes Chapel Church. He preferred to think of himself as a born-again Christian, rather than aligning with a particular denomination.

Loving survivors include his wife of 57 years, Diane of rural Jackson; daughter, Sherry (Dale) Brock of Jackson; grandchildren, Chelsey (Ryan) Trevino and children Koralei and Gabriel of Jonesborough, Tennessee and Justin Lukefahr of Jackson; two sisters, Linda (Herby) McCutcheon of Marble Hill and Vickie Massey of Bonne Terre, Missouri; a nephew, Dylan (Libby) McCutcheon of Burfordville, Missouri; two nieces, Brittney (Rusty) Smith of Marble Hill and Shelby Massey (fiancé, Matthew Barron) of Fredericktown, Missouri; and his faithful cattle dog, Fritz.

In addition to his preterm infant sons, Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Edward and Maxine Hahn; paternal grandparents, Lewis Albert and Zenobia Summers Hahn; and maternal grandparents, Jesse and Desdia Stroder Sander.

While reflecting on Dave’s life, the abrupt way he left this world, and the physical challenges he faced the past few years, his family recalled Abraham Lincoln‘s quote, “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

Visitation is from 4 to 8 PM, Monday, October 13, 2025, and from 10 AM to service time, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev Jim Matthews will conduct the Funeral Service at 11 AM, Tuesday, October 14, at the funeral home. Military Honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the ceremony, followed by interment at Haynes Chapel Cemetery west of Burfordville.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions to assist with funeral expenses. If writing a check, please remit to McCombs Funeral Home and memo “for David Hahn”. Contributions may be dropped off at the funeral home or mailed to 640 West Independence, Jackson, MO 63755.  McCombs is currently experiencing a technical issue with the option of online contributions, but anticipates the issue will be addressed by Monday.  Your patience is appreciated.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by scrolling to the guest book beneath this article.