Celebrating the Lives of Dave & Esther Scovill

On the evening of October 4, 2025 at the age of 89, David L. Scovill

received his long-awaited “ticket” to depart this life for his eternal

Home! He was quietly and peacefully ushered into the Presence of the

Lord Jesus around 7:25 pm with his daughter Dawn in attendance,

fulfilling his desire to go straight from his home in Blythewood, SC to

God’s. We celebrate with him the gift of his new, fully restored body,

and the wonder of his faith that has now been made sight as he joins

many other family and friends, including thousands of Danis, around

the Throne!

Born on April 11, 1936 in Pine City, Minnesota, David was the second

child of Gordon and Dorothy (Steele) Scovill, farmers in the Askov

community. The family would be blessed with six more children

resulting in lots of work, laughter and fun in the old farm house. Farm

life left its indelible mark on David’s young life and heavily shaped his

values, his work ethic, and his life experience.

As a young man, Dave attended and graduated from Prairie Bible

College in Alberta where he also met his future bride, Esther L.

McKerihan. Together Dave and Esther were challenged by the

vast needs of the indigenous peoples of Dutch New Guinea whose

languages were yet unwritten, and who had never heard the Gospel

message, especially those of the Dani people living in the mountainous

central-highland region of what is now known as Papua. Dave and

Esther joined Crossworld (UFM Int’l), arriving among these friendly,

energetic people in 1960, and serving them as linguists, medical care

providers, literacy teachers, Bible translators, and Bible teachers. Over

almost 60 years of their ministry, they heavily contributed to the

discipleship and growth of the Dani church, as well as spearheading

ministry efforts and outreach among other unreached tribal groups on

the island.

While his legacy is probably most marked by his deep understanding of

the Dani language and people, and his tenacious drive to complete the

translation of the whole Bible into Dani, Dave was a man of many talents

and good humor. His stories were riveting, and his laughter contagious.

Using lessons he learned on the farm, he worked tirelessly to improve the

living conditions and nutritional resources for the Dani people. He taught

them to pit-saw lumber, and built multiple homes for his family as well

as churches and schools for the Dani throughout the valleys in which he

served. He also heavily invested in mission leadership, church leadership,

and eventually authored three books: The Amazing Dani based on his

experiences among the Dani; Out of the Dark Triangle - a story based on

the life of Karlos, a man he discipled in Papua; and David: Beloved – a

story about lessons he and Esther learned through the tragic accident

that took their son’s life at just 16 years of age. Music, especially playing

coronet duets with his son, David, brought him much joy. On occasion,

Dave would comment that his only regret was not having more lives to

invest for Christ!

Dave was predeceased by his son, David B. Scovill in 1983; his wife of

almost 61 years, Esther L. Scovill in 2020; his parents, and two siblings,

Philip and Darlene. He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Fain (John),

his four grand-children, 11 great-grandchildren, five remaining siblings

Donald, Doris, Daniel, Dorie, and Esther, and many nieces and nephews.