David Teply

David Teply, of Wauneta, passed away at his home in Wauneta on Monday, August 17, 2026. He was 78 years of age.
David was self-employed most of his life. Growing up on the farm north of Wauneta drove his desire to be involved in agriculture his entire life. David was born in McCook, Nebraska on July 24, 1948, to Eddie and Patsy (Creasman) Teply of Wauneta, Nebraska. He attended country school, and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1966. After completing high school, Dave attended McCook Community College to play football and graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE. After college, he enlisted into the United States Army.
Farming, custom harvesting, and trucking kept Dave busy in the industry he loved. But by far his favorite occupation was the harvest crew and following wheat harvest from Texas to Montana. He shared this passion with his sons and taught each of them how to drive a combine at a very young age. Cutting wheat with his sons was one of his proudest, and at times, most stressful moments. If you’d have told him they were growing wheat on the moon he would have tried to figure out a way to get there to harvest it. He absolutely loved running a combine, no matter what color it was.
Dave was also an avid goose hunter. He hunted geese until he was too old to hold a gun to his shoulder and it was too cold to stand out in the weather.
He was a proud member of the VFW in Imperial. Dad never really talked about his military service in Vietnam. When asked, he’d divert. He served in the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Even though he rarely spoke about it, he proudly served his country from 1968-1970. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and received many awards and citations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Dave was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions on April 15, 1969, while stationed in Vietnam; for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force.   
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Patsy Teply and his younger, brother Danny Joe Teply.
Survivors include his ex-wife, Penny (Hill) Teply; sons, Matt and Lindsey Teply, Patrick Teply and Tanner Teply; grandchildren, Tate and Edisyn Teply, children of Matt and Lindsey; brother, Sam and wife, Kristi Teply; Sister, Cindy and husband, Steve Balsom; nephews and nieces: Buck and JJ Teply, Logan and wife, Shari Mohr, Jessie and husband, Dale Liskey, Chris and Stephanie Hughes, Dean and Jennifer Hughes, Tricia Hughes and partner, Shane and April (Hughes) and Mike Kinninger.
Cremation was chosen and graveside services with full Military Honors were scheduled for 10:00 AM (MT) on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the St. John Cemetery in Rural Hayes County, Nebraska.
Memorials in Dave’s memory are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.