David Martin Mai, Jr., 84, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Russell Regional Hospital.

David was born on March 20, 1930, in Hays, Kansas, the son of David, Sr. and Christine (Kerbs) Mai.  He grew up in Gorham, Kansas, and attended school at the Center School District #63.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Emma Jean Gosser on August 08, 1949 in Hays, Kansas at the Trinity Lutheran Church.  From this union David and Jean were blessed with 4 children, 3 sons Michael, Randall and Mark and daughter Robin.  David worked as a heavy equipment operator for Bill Ingram and Red Rhyne for 10 years.  In 1964, he started his own business and became owner and operator of Mai Excavating.  After a very successful career he retired in 1998.  He was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  When his children were young he was a Boy Scout master of Pack #134 and enjoyed taking the boys camping.  He was also a member of the Russell Elks Club, Kansas State Square Dancing Board and Russell Square Dancing Club.  He enjoyed being a farmer and stockman, golfing, square dancing, computer games and his cats and birds.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife Emma Jean Mai of the home; sons Michael David Mai and wife Diana Lynn (Milberger-Wells) Mai, Randall Ward Mai and wife Diane Lee Cochran of Webb City, Missouri and Mark William Mai and companion Annette Stierlen of Russell; daughter Robin Faye Mai Logsdon Leiker and husband Daniel of Russell; sisters Ella Marie Mai Westmoreland of Denver, Colorado and Irene Ruth Mai Harzman and husband Fredrick “Uncle Bud” of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; David’s 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; daughters Martine Chauveau and Mireille Roland both from France.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill and Ray Mai; sisters Ophelia Griffey, Elma Christine Steinert and Edna Olinda Joyner and grandsons Rex Wells and Jeremy Logsdon.

A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 30, 2014, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the mortuary with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.  Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church or Russell Regional Hospital Therapy Center and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.