David Rollinger, 71, of Apple River, IL passed away at his home on Sunday, August 30, 2026. He was born on June 21, 1955, in Freeport, IL to Eldred and Shirley (Timp) Rollinger.

David attended Holy Cross Catholic School until the 6th grade before attending Stockton school. He was very proud of his track career, even in his later years he would challenge his kids to races and catch them even in his cowboy boots. David joined the US Army in 1973 and proudly served his country as a paratrooper. He married his wife Cheryl Harwick on February 14, 1982. David was a long-haul truck driver for 50 years, logging over one million miles during his career. During his younger years he started driving for Arnolds and went by the Yankee Cowboy on the CB radio. He also drove for multiple companies throughout his career Mcmorhan, Foodliner, AG Trucking, Jenson, Adams Equipment, and Caledonia Haulers.

David was very strong-willed, opinionated, and sassy, but he was always a phone call away even in the early hours of the morning. He was also Dawsons alarm clock for many years. David was always willing to help his friends, family, and strangers. However, he knew no stranger he enjoyed chatting with people and by the time they left he made a new friend. His fellow truckers would even call him from time to time. David always made sure that his kids knew how to do things, such as teaching them how to drive stick and making sure that they knew he would always be there to help maintain their vehicles. He was a collector of mustangs and old cars, and an avid motorcycle rider. David enjoyed going on vacations/trips with his family and siblings. He also went on many motorcycle and side by side trips. David was known as everyone’s GPS before the GPS was a thing. He was also a lover of animals, especially cats

David is survived by his wife Cheryl Rollinger of Apple River, IL, 3 children-Rebecca (Venancio) Ugalde of Freeport, IL, Rachel (Damein) Nipple of Monroe, WI, and David Rollinger of Apple River, IL; Grandchildren- Michelle (Andrew) Gischer, Cheyanne, Nataniel, Victoria (Tim Fisher) Wilkinson, Kyler, Andie, Dixon, Killian, David, Dylan, Ashton, Cora, Gage, Emma (Xander) Bennett, Brandon, Cameron, Lukas, and Allen: great grandchildren- Denver, Kailyn, Breiden, Braylen; siblings- Susan Jorgensen of Waterloo, IA, Bill (Linda) Rollinger of Pecatonica, IL, Carol (Ken) Kammes of Dodgeville, WI, Betty (Tom) Calvert of Mineral Point, WI, and Nancy Grindey of Apple River, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews and lifelong friends- Dan Paul, Vern Davidson and Pat Engaldo.

David was preceded in death by his parents, three sons- David Jr. in Infancy, Reggie, and Dawson; two granddaughters- Alexandria and Angel; brothers-in-law- Mike Grindey, Don and Jerry Harwick: and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Bartell-Leamons Funeral Home in Warren, IL on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 4:00- 7:00 P.M.

Funeral services will be held at the Apple River Event Center in Apple River, IL on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 A.M.

Internment will take place at West Ella Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his name.