Dover veteran and 51-year American Legion member David Alpeter remembered

David Alpeter, 74, a Dover resident and 51-year member of Homer Weiss American Legion Post #494, died Jan. 3. Family and neighbors gathered to honor his life with a memorial service Jan. 9 at Zion United Church of Christ in Ragersville, followed by burial and military honors as a recognition of his service in the U.S. Air Force.

Born Oct. 5, 1951, Alpeter graduated from Garaway High School in 1970. He served his country in the Air Force before building a long career as a commercial truck driver, retiring from Andrews Logistics and later working part time for Paint Valley Farms. For more than five decades he was active in the local American Legion post and served on the post Honors Team, a role that brings dignity to veterans and their families at burials and community events.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; sons Steve (Jessica) and Ryan (Libby) Alpeter; granddaughters Josselyn and Haley; and his sister Lois (Ralph) Sundheimer. Per his wishes, cremation was honored and memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ.

Alpeter’s passing is felt across a county where veterans, truckers and farm workers form the backbone of daily life. His long membership in the American Legion positioned him as both a caregiver and a civic presence, participating in the rites that mark military service and loss. In small towns like Dover and Ragersville, organizations such as the Legion are central to community cohesion and to ensuring veterans receive visible recognition.

The circumstances highlight broader public health and social issues affecting Holmes County: an aging veteran population, the physical and mental health toll of long-haul driving and manual labor, and the unequal access rural residents often face to veteran-focused health care and support services. The loss of active volunteers on honors teams also strains local capacity to provide military rites and peer support, underscoring the need for sustained investment in volunteer recruitment, training and services for older adults.

Neighbors who knew Alpeter through the Legion, the trucking community or Paint Valley Farms are encouraged to check on older veterans and to support families navigating bereavement. The takeaway? Small acts matter here — showing up for a service, offering a ride to a memorial, or making a modest donation to a local church all help knit the county together during loss. Our two cents? Reach out to the veteran in your circle and make sure they are connected to the supports they need.