David Matthue Rivera, 30, of Lebanon, PA, passed away on Sept. 18, 2026.
David was a man who loved deeply, laughed freely, worked hard, and gave generously of himself to the people he cared about. He loved God, his family, his country, and the great outdoors. He had a warm heart and a natural ability to bring laughter and life wherever he went.
Born on Aug. 10, 1996, David spent most of his life in South Central Pennsylvania, with a chapter of his life also spent in Southern Arizona. He graduated from Hershey High School in 2014 and went on to build a career in home remodeling and construction. Talented with his hands and never afraid of hard work, David eventually started his own business and took great pride in creating, building, repairing, and making things better than he found them.
That same instinct extended far beyond his work. David was the kind of person you could call day or night. If someone needed help, he showed up. He was fiercely loyal, loved with his whole heart, and would give what he had to someone who needed it. He was playful and mischievous, always ready to joke around, and had a way of making ordinary moments memorable. David found happiness in the simple things he loved most — music, the outdoors, working with his hands, time with family, plenty of laughter, and animals, with whom he shared a special connection and who seemed naturally drawn to him.
His life was not without struggles. David was a cancer survivor and, throughout much of his adult life, also fought the difficult battle of addiction. But his struggles were never the measure of the man he was. David came to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and sought to walk in the light of the Lord. Through his own battles, he understood brokenness, grace, forgiveness, and hope in a deeply personal way. His family hopes that David’s life will serve as a testimony that no struggle is greater than God’s love and that even in our darkest valleys, His light remains.
David was recently married to Veronica M. Stevens and was a stepfather to her two children. He is deeply loved and survived by his father, Jason A. Taylor; mother, Samantha A. Taylor; brother, Trenton A. Taylor, and his wife, Savannah E. Taylor; brother, Tracen J. Taylor; sister, Makenzie A. Maloskey, and her husband, Alexander R. Maloskey; and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends whose lives were touched by his.
Thirty years was far too short for a life that meant so much to so many. David’s family will carry both the tremendous sorrow of losing him and the tremendous gratitude of having loved him.
We take comfort in knowing that David knew the Lord and that his story does not end here. We entrust him now to the loving arms of his Savior and hold tightly to the promise Jesus gave to all who believe in Him:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” – John 11:25 (KJV)
David gave freely, laughed often, loved wholeheartedly, and fought battles that many never saw. May his life remind us to extend grace, to help when we can, to love people through their struggles, and to never give up hope.
Until we see you again, David, you will be loved, missed, and remembered every single day.
In true celebration of David’s vibrant spirit, we invite you to wear black and/or green, his favorite colors, as we gather to remember him. A visitation will be held from 10:32-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Thompson Funeral Home Inc., 126 S. 9th St., Lebanon, PA 17042, followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Hershey Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of David may be made to the following: To Write Love on Her Arms, twloha.com. Thompson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
