David Lloyd Gill

David Lloyd Gill, 76, passed away April 12, 2026, after a long illness.

Born Dec. 18, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dave was raised on a farm near Waterloo, a childhood he told stories about long after he traded rural life for suburban Ohio. He graduated in 1968 from DeKalb High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1974 and master’s degree in 1975, both in communications, from The Ohio State University. He earned his Juris Doctor in 1982 from Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and practiced law for many years, retiring in 2018.

On Aug. 24, 1974, Dave married Nancy Karaffa, and the couple built a life together in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dave took joy in becoming a father to three children: Annie, Katie and Joey. He was an active and involved parent, coaching various sports teams, chaperoning field trips, bringing home pizza and Blockbuster videos on Friday nights, and even earning a black belt in karate together with his son. Wherever his kids went, Dave went, traveling to swim meets, band competitions, musical performances and more. When his daughters went away to college, he particularly loved visiting them on Dads/Parents weekends and experiencing their schools alongside them. When his girls moved to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., respectively, he visited regularly until he was no longer able to travel.

Dave had a big laugh and could reliably be given gifts that fell into one of two categories: the Civil War or beer. Like many OSU alumni, he passionately cheered on the Buckeyes, regularly donning scarlet and grey alongside his wife to make the trek to Ohio Stadium for football games every fall. The radio dial in his car was always tuned to bands like the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival or Steppenwolf, with a cassette tape of “Born to be Wild” often on repeat. He was known for his silly sense of humor and for never taking life too seriously.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Maxine Gill. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Annie (Phillip Welshans) and Katie (Ryan Walsh); his son, Joey; two granddaughters, Sylvia and Maggie; and his brother, Mike. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Visitation to take place Thursday April 16th, 2026 from 5 PM to 7PM at Gilligan Funeral Homes in Kenwood. 

(8225 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236)