Lt. Col David S. Rilling

Gaffney, SC - - Lt. Col David S. Rilling USMC (ret) went home to be with the Lord on the evening of March 14, 2026.  He was 92 years old.

Dave was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, by George Arthur and Edna Peters Rilling and is survived by his wife, Nancy and grown children David Jr. and Meredith Sargent.  Also surviving are three grandchildren:  Wheeler Sargent (Kayla), Jennifer Sargent, and Jonathan Sargent.  He graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio with a BA degree in international relations in 1955 and earned an MBA degree in finance from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri in 1970.  After 27 years in the United States Marine Corps, Dave spent the next 34 years in higher education.  He was an assistant professor of management and VP for financial affairs at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC.  He then came to Gaffney, SC in 1986 to become the VP for financial affairs at Limestone University, retiring from that position on December 31, 2015.  He also was an assistant professor of management on the faculty and taught courses in the adult evening program and online courses in the extended campus program.

Dave was a continually active participant in various civic and Christian organizations in Cherokee County during his life.  An elder in Overbrook Presbyterian Church, past president and member in the Gaffney Gideons camp, past president and member of the rotary club, and a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Boys and Girls Club, Palmetto Christian Academy of Gaffney, and the Limestone University Saints Club.  In 2025 Dave received the Order of the Palmetto in recognition of his contributions to the success and well-being of Limestone University during his tenure there and continued contributions to the people of Cherokee County after his retirement.  In March of 2026 KNOW(2) Cherokee recognized him with the Oscar Fuller Legacy Award for his extensive volunteerism in Cherokee County.

Dave became a Christian after completing a three-year catechism course at St. John's Lutheran Church in 1948.  He loved and served the Lord and his family all his adult life.  If Dave were to leave any message to those still living, it would be to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and gain the gift of eternal life.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald Rilling and George Arthur Rilling, Jr. and two sisters, Edna Beard and Doris May.

The family will receive friends from 1:00PM until 2:45PM on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Overbrook Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 3:00 PM at the Church with Dr. Bill Wade officiating.  Interment, with full military honors, will be in Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 919 Overbrook Drive, Gaffney, SC 29341 or Gideons International, P.O. Box 1712, Gaffney, SC 29342.

The family will be at the residence, 427 S. Petty Street, Gaffney, SC 29340.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC