Mr. David Alan Peffer, 85, of Melfa, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock.
Born March 8, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and raised in Trafford, Pa., he was the only child of the late Walter Elmer Peffer and Dorothy Rapp Peffer.
Following high school, David continued his education at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in October 1963.
David later relocated to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where he quickly became a beloved and active member of the community. A longtime member and lay speaker at Melfa United Methodist Church, he was always willing to serve wherever he was needed. His strong faith led him to volunteer as a chaplain for the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, where he provided spiritual guidance, counseling, and religious services to inmates. David also faithfully served the Town of Melfa for nearly two decades as an elected member of the Melfa Town Council, ensuring the voices of its residents were heard.
He put his horticulture degree to good use as the owner of Eastern Shore Nursery in Keller. After several years, David sold the business and spent time enjoying life in the Sunshine State. While living in Florida, he pursued his lifelong love of drag racing and was proud to have raced on the Daytona International Speedway.
In the early 1990s, David returned to the Eastern Shore and began working as director of building and grounds at The Hermitage on the Eastern Shore (now Commonwealth Senior Living), where he later retired.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Drummond Peffer; his daughter-in-law, Angie Ainsworth; his sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Nickerson, Stephanie Little, and Beth Ostrout; his granddaughters, Crystal Churchill and Julie Ainsworth; his great-grandsons, Weston Churchill and Kenneth “Kenny” Kupsus; and his caregiver, Lisa Locklear.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepsons, Kenneth W. “K.W.” Ainsworth, Keith D. Ainsworth, and L. Brent Hart.
Funeral services were conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Monday, March 9, at 3 p.m., with Pastor William Jefferson officiating. Interment followed in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. There was a visitation at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
