07/30/2026
With great respect and sadness we share the passing of Veteran David B. Sollars, 78, of Newburgh. SP5 Sollars immediately enlisted in the United States Army after High School graduation, completing Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood. On April 9, 1967, he married the love of his life, Elaine Shelton. Nine days later, he left to serve in Vietnam. David served his country as a Huey helicopter Crew Chief and door gunner, flying combat missions around the clock. He was shot down five times in service to his country, spent multiple nights alone in the jungle awaiting rescue, and sustained significant shrapnel injuries. He was offered, and refused, a Purple Heart, carrying with him a quiet guilt that he had survived when so many of his fellow soldiers had not. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder walked beside David every day from late April 1967 until his final day on earth, and like so many veterans, he spent a lifetime searching for relief, hope, and healing. After service, his family then moved to Indianapolis where David attended Sams Technical Institute, and then IUPUI while also working full time as an assistant manager at A&P Grocery. His career then took the family to Washington, Indiana, where he became Store Manager at Sureway. They later moved to Jasper, where David managed a larger Sureway store before purchasing his own store, Sollars Sureway, in Sullivan where the ink pens read: “Save Dollars with Sollars.” It was in Sullivan, where David experienced the most pivotal change of his life, accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. He hungered to know God more deeply and to serve Him; and so he sold the grocery business, home, packed up his family, and enrolled at Kentucky Christian University. He later continued his studies at Dallas Christian College, became involved with Christ In Youth (CIY), and eventually served as Stewardship Director for CIY in Tulsa, Oklahoma. David’s family eventually returned to Indiana, where he joined his father and oldest brother Rich in the family business at Linton Glass Company. Two years later, he expanded the business into Evansville as Sollars Glass Company, which took part in many notable commercial projects across the Tri-State, including Washington Square Mall, Tri-State Racquet Club, and Deaconess. David also became a builder of custom homes through Sollars Construction, earning multiple Home of the Year, Best Bathroom, Best Interior, and Best Kitchen awards from the Southwestern Indiana Builders Association's Parade of Homes. He later co- founded Woodcrafting by Design, giving him yet another outlet for his craftsmanship. David's love for Huey helicopters, born in Vietnam, never faded. In time, he built his own Rotorway helicopter, from 27 boxes of plans, dreams, and countless hours of dedication. In 2009, Mike Burkdoll and Crossroads Christian Church began the Newburgh/ Evansville Outpost for Point Man Ministries, a veteran ministry that has since served over 1,000 veterans through peer support, faith, family support and fellowship. David was a part of Point Man from the very beginning and was equally served as a Veteran as well as serving other Veterans in this important outreach. Mission First, Inc., was then created to expand what Point Man began in this community. Mission First was built to support veterans through peer support, counseling, education, recreation, and community. In retirement, David and his wife Elaine spent four years traveling the lower 48 states in their RV, with Elaine behind the wheel and David navigating. Together they set a goal of visiting all 48 states, and had reached 41 by David's passing. David was a member of Crossroads Christian Church (originally Cullen Avenue Christian Church) since 1980, and faith remained the center of his life. He was active in Vets Honoring Vets, the Monday Night Men's Bible Study for Veterans, the Thursday men's Bible study, a weekly couples' Bible study, and the Friday morning men's breakfast group. We had the privilege of providing David his Honor Flight in May, EVV20 red bus. Our condolences and prayers go to his wife Elaine of 59 year, his family and many friends. If David were asked what mattered most in life, the answer would have been simple: his faith in Jesus Christ, his high school sweetheart Elaine, his family and his country. Those priorities shaped every chapter of his life. Thank you Sir for your service and commitment to this great country and your community. Your dedication and leadership will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace Sir and know you made a great difference. 🇺🇸✈️🙏🏼⭐️
