David Allen Kittle passed away quietly at home north of Novinger on Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born November 26, 1948, in Kirksville, MO to Lee and Lora (Williams) Kittle of Novinger. David married Judy Kay Brown on November 28, 1969, they were blessed with one son, Michael Shawn Kittle (Penny Wood) of Novinger. David has four grandchildren Kayya (Tyler) Johnson of Green Castle, Dakota (Maria Boden) Kittle of Des Moines, IA, Jamie Kittle of Lake Panasoffkee, FL and Bryce Kittle of Kirksville; two great granddaughters, Emma Jean and Madison Grace Johnson and two nephews, Shannon Bowen and Dustin (Heather) Bowen both of Queen City, MO.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lora Kittle, a sister Thresa Burrus, and one nephew Jason Bowen.
David graduated from Novinger High School in 1966; he attended the University of Missouri earning a B.S. in Agriculture Economics. While at MU he was member of the Independent Aggies and worked part-time at Traxler Implement Company. After graduation David moved to Greentop where he worked as farm hand, then promoted to farm manager for Bound Ranch until the ranch sold in the mid 1970’s. David and Judy then moved home to Novinger to farm raising corn, soybeans and commercial cattle. He farmed most of his life, always fixing or building something. David was a seed representative for Garst and Thomas seeds, then was a Garst seed dealer for several years, and later took over Vigortone feed sales from Gerald Brown, his father-in-law. David enjoyed helping neighbors work cows and with the annual silage harvest. Horses were an integral part of David’s life; he led the 4-H Horsemanship project for the Novinger 4-H Club. He passed his farrier skills and passion for horses down to his son, Michael. He was a past member of the Queen City Roping Club, the 66 Wranglers Saddle Club and the Green City Roping Club.
David was active in several community organizations in Adair County. He was a founding member of the Adair County Young Farmers, he was a past member of the Novinger Lions Club, where he enjoyed helping with activities, especially the truck pull. David was a volunteer fire fighter and first responder for several years, serving as fire chief of the Novinger Volunteer Fire Department for many of those years, he served on the Adair County Joint Fire Chiefs’ board and as Medical Unit Leader at summer fire school. He was a long-time member of the NEMO Fair Board, serving multiple terms as president, and he helped design and build the current fairgrounds. David also served on the Adair County Ambulance Board for several years.
Public visitation will be held Friday, February 6, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.
Funeral services for David Kittle will be on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Travis Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Darrell Crooks officiating. Interment will follow the service at Novinger Cemetery in Novinger.
Memorial donations in memory of David may be made to Novinger Renewal and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.