More detail on this person: David A. Scheina, 71, of Pleasant Plains, died at 8:14 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at his residence. David was born on December 28, 1949 in Springfield, the son of Carl Otto and Wanda Mae (Dempsey) Scheina. He married Juanita "Gail" Rogers on March 15, 2012 in Springfield. David attended Bunn Elementary School and was a 1968 graduate of Lanphier High School. He earned an associate degree from LLCC and a bachelor's degree from UIS. David was passionate about flying and earned his pilot's license before he was 18 years old, making him the youngest pilot at the time in the State of IL. He served his country for 26 years as a Chief Warrant Officer/Pilot in the US Army and Illinois Army National Guard. His passion was flying helicopters. During his military service David was a military instructor pilot (IP) and he was qualified in the OH-58 Kiowa, UH-1 Huey, AH-1G Cobra and the CH-47D Chinook helicopter-the largest helicopter in the Army inventory. In Vietnam, David served as a Cobra aircraft commander with the 334th AWC (known as the Playboys) where his call sign was "Playboy 18". Chief Warrant officers are commonly known as or called "Chief" and those with a rank of CW4: Super Chief. David was respectfully known in the National Guard as "THE Super Chief". He retired after many years of service working for the State of IL in various agencies and owning several small businesses throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards, especially Texas Hold `Em, watching Fighting Illini basketball games, traveling, RV'ing, water sports, seeking deals, and starting projects. David was deeply loved by his grandchildren, and he will be dearly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Joshua Allen Scheina. He is survived by his wife, Gail Scheina of Pleasant Plains; one son, D. Patrick (wife, Angela) Scheina of Petersburg; daughter-in-law, Valerie Marie Scheina of Springfield; two stepchildren, Brandon (wife, Callie) Rogers of Hillsboro and Nikki (husband, Chris) Carron of Waggoner; grandchildren, Kate Elizabeth, Cassidy Skylar, Isabella Marie and Bryleigh Rose Scheina, Dillan (Mackenzie), Mizabella, Mira Moon, Ryan, Braydon (Holly) Carron, and Samara, Jasmine, and Autumn Rogers; sister, Kathleen (James) Augustine of Springfield, IL; nephews, James (wife, Shannan) Augustine and Ryan Augustine; great-niece, Alyse Augustine; great-nephew, Elias Augustine; and many cousins. Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Graveside Ceremony: 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Department of Defense and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Scholarship Fund, 1601 E. Lamar Blvd, Suite 117, Arlington, TX 76011.
Burial information: Camp Butler National Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/01/2022
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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