Pastor David's Obituary

David Mason Niednagel
David Mason Niednagel, beloved husband, father, pastor, teacher, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, entered into the presence of his Lord on August 1, 2026, at the age of 82.

Born on March 4, 1944, in Evansville, Indiana, David was the son of Phyllis and Roland "Dick" Niednagel. He was raised on Plaza Drive alongside his three brothers. His mother and grandmother exercised a profound influence on him and his brothers. Through their godly example, faith, family, and music became the foundation of his early years. Their home hummed with the activity of four boys at play while their mother faithfully taught piano lessons. David played the trumpet and was part of a trumpet trio that won the philharmonic contest during his senior year of high school. He also served as sophomore class president and graduated with honors from Central High School in 1962.

David attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where his love for Christ continued to deepen. During the summers he served as a counselor at a Christian youth camp in New York, discovering a lifelong passion for teaching and opening God's Word. He even purchased and restored a school bus to transport youth to camp, church, and mission opportunities.

A beloved professor at Wheaton, Dr. Phillip Hook, greatly influenced and encouraged David. He asked David to serve at a summer camp in New York. David was so impressed with Dr. Hook’s life and knowledge of the Bible that he enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary, where Dr. Hook had attended. David wanted to study the Bible to determine whether he could also trust it fully.  

At that time in his life, David had no desire to be a preacher and no intention of enrolling in preaching classes. However, he found himself in a required class called Homiletics, where he learned both the privilege and responsibility of preaching God’s Word. He was surprised and encouraged when he received the senior Preaching Award for his senior sermon.

While in Dallas, David met Judy Trautman from Yuma, Colorado. She had also attended Wheaton College, though they did not know each other while attending Wheaton. They quickly fell in love, became engaged during seminary, and were married at Judy’s home church in Yuma in 1968. Judy taught junior high English while David finished his last two years of seminary.

Following graduation from Dallas, David was called to Evansville to be the Area Director for Young Life, an evangelical ministry that reaches out to high school teenagers. David’s special gift for teaching and making things clear made him especially effective in leading Young Life clubs. He served as Young Life Director from 1970 to 1972 before becoming Youth Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, where he ministered from 1972 to 1974. His job at the church also involved preaching each week.

During those early years of ministry, their greatest joy was found at home. They welcomed their son, Paul David, in 1971, and their daughter, Christy, in 1975. The family made their home on Mulberry Street and created countless cherished memories.

God's calling to be a pastor-teacher became increasingly clear, and in 1974 David, together with a group of faithful friends, established Christian Fellowship Church in Evansville on August 4, 1974. During a season when many were searching for truth and biblical direction, the Lord graciously blessed those humble beginnings. What began with an unexpectedly crowded inaugural service grew into a church family committed to proclaiming the gospel, discipling believers, and supporting missionaries around the world.

David’s role as a pastor was demanding, so he was grateful for the month of vacation the church provided each year. Each summer, the family explored the country together, often helping with the wheat harvest on Judy’s family farm near Yuma, Colorado, visiting Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks, and spending time with family and friends on both coasts. In later years, they enjoyed northern Wisconsin, where David had vacationed as a boy.

David's heart for ministry extended far beyond the walls of the church. He possessed a deep and abiding passion for missions, both locally and around the world. In 1986, Christian Fellowship Church purchased the Central Turners building in downtown Evansville and established Impact Ministries. Through the faithful service of countless volunteers, neighborhood children received tutoring, encouragement, and practical life instruction. Local physicians, dentists, and many others generously gave their time and expertise to serve these families. True to its name, Impact Ministries became a lasting expression of Christ's love within the Evansville community.

David led the church to embrace a vision for the world. CFC has sent many missionaries and mission teams around the world. Judy and David traveled together to minister in the Dominican Republic, Cyprus, Peru, Bolivia, China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Uganda, India, Costa Rica, Myanmar, and Kazakhstan. In addition, David trained leaders in Russia, Jordan, Ghana, and taught on eight different occasions in India.

David was passionate about the study of scientific evidence for intelligent design and therefore was a Designer. He taught a class on Creation Science for seven years and wrote a booklet summarizing the scientific evidence for Creation in astronomy, cosmology, genetics, geology, and biology. This teaching strengthened the faith of many in the truth of God’s Word.

For forty years Pastor David regularly taught the Scriptures from the pulpit with clarity, conviction, and humility. His preaching was marked by careful exposition of God's Word and an unwavering commitment to the finished work of Jesus Christ. One passage, 2 Corinthians 5:21, beautifully summarized both his message and his life: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

David never tired of pointing people to Christ as their only hope before a holy God.  After semi-retiring in 2013, he continued to disciple men, lead a small group, teach a men’s Bible study class, provide counseling, and take ministry trips to India until 2019.

Those who knew David best understood that his ministry was never measured by numbers, buildings, or accomplishments, but by faithfulness. Whether preaching from the pulpit, teaching a Bible study, counseling a struggling believer, or serving on missionary journeys around the world, he remained the same gracious, thoughtful, Christ-centered servant. His quiet humility, deep love for the Scriptures, genuine compassion for people, and unwavering devotion to his Savior left an enduring imprint upon countless lives.

Pastor David's legacy lives on through the church he faithfully shepherded, the missionaries he encouraged, the leaders he mentored, and the generations of believers who were strengthened through his faithful teaching of God's Word.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Judy; his son, Paul David Niednagel (Joyce) of Taipei, Taiwan; his daughter, Ava (Christy) Farouche of Denver, Colorado; his granddaughter, Charissa Niednagel; his brothers, Paul Niednagel (Lynn) of Laguna Niguel, California, and John Niednagel (Barbara) of Nottinghill, Missouri; his sisters-in-law, Marie Wenger of Yuma, Colorado, Kate Kallis of Hingham, Massachusetts, Sue Kilgore (Roger) of Denver, Colorado, and Lori Kaufman of Denver, Colorado; along with many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland "Dick" and Phyllis Mason Niednagel, and by his brother, Roland Niednagel.

His greatest desire was to finish well, be faithful to the end. More than being remembered himself, he wanted others to know and treasure the Savior he loved and proclaimed.
A Celebration of David’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road, Evansville, Indiana 47725. A number of friends and family will be leading the Celebration of Life Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Global Missions at Christian Fellowship Church.

David wanted his final act to support science and medical research, so he donated his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine Anatomical Education Program.

Browning Funeral Home is handling the arrangements alongside David’s Christian Fellowship Church family. We are all honored to serve the Niednagel family.