David Alexander Eischen, a resident of Cornelius, Oregon, died on March 23, 2017 in Hillsboro. He was 84 years of age.

David was born on October 13, 1932 in Hillsboro, Oregon and was the son of Alexander and Ida (Francis) Eischen. Alexander remarried following the passing of Ida when David was 3 years old to Bessie (Maher) Eischen. He was raised on the family farm in Cornelius that was originally purchased from the railroad by his grandfather, Mathias Eischen in 1884. David graduated in 1950 from Hillsboro High School, where he played football. On December 10, 1955 he married Vergene Adams at the Hillsboro Methodist Church.

David continued the family legacy by working as a Farmer and farming the family property. He grew cherries, prunes, and grains as well has raised cows, sheep and chickens. He also did custom farming and for years hosted school farm tours for Hillsboro Elementary Students. He was known for mentoring young farmhands to be hard workers and good people as well as taught his children the values of farm life and the importance of family.

David was highly involved in civic organizations and community issues. He was a volunteer fireman and served on the Cornelius Fire Board. He served on the Prune and Plum Commission, the Farm Bureau, the Washington County Planning Commission and volunteered for the Hillsboro School District. He also served as a chaplain for Gideon’s International which gave him the opportunity to mentor at the local jail once a week.

David’s faith was very important to him. He was a member of Laurel Community Church and participated in numerous church building projects as well as served on various church boards throughout Washington County. He also was youth group leader and a Sunday school teacher.

David was clearly a hard worker. He helped to build a 6th generation family farm that was worked by his grandfather, his father before him and now his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an exceptional teacher, mechanically inclined and a problem solver. He cared about people and his community and he loved his family and friends deeply. The legacy David leaves is one of great strength; something his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have the honor to continue. Simply put, David will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Vergene, children, Dan (wife, Marilyn) Eischen, Danita (husband, Chuck) Lovelady, Susan Eischen and Lori Porter and sisters, Theresa Meury, LaDelle Nosen, Yvonne James, Deanna Maher and Bonnie Engle along with 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm at Donelson Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11:00 am at Alliance Bible Church in Hillsboro. Interment will follow at Skyline Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be sent in memory of David to “Gideon’s International” c/o West Washington County Gideon Chapter , PO Box 355 Forest Grove, OR 97116. Arrangements entrusted to Donelson Funeral Chapel.