David Allen Montelongo, 21, died of suicide by handgun on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Newton, Kan., after trying his hardest to overcome the traumas of prenatal drug exposure, prolonged child abuse and neglect, repeated exposure to domestic violence, and multiple disruptive placements in the broken Kansas foster care system.

David was born May 2, 1996, to Deborah L. Mercer and David M. Montelongo in San Diego, Calif. He lived for six years with his loving grandmother, Florence M. Henry, in Wichita, until her death in 2008. David was adopted at age 15, on July 19, 2011, by Melanie J. Krehbiel and Jason A. Miller, in Newton.

David graduated from Newton High School in 2014, where he was a good student, a class clown, an art room fixture, and a four-year member of the boys swim team. He attended Monmouth College and McPherson College for one year each, majoring in art. After transferring to Wichita State University for his junior year, he changed his major to psychology. David was in his senior year at WSU and hoped to use his degree to help kids with backgrounds similar to his.

David is survived by his parents, Melanie Krehbiel and Jason Miller, Newton, Deborah Mercer, Wichita, David Montelongo, San Diego; sisters, Constance VanBuskirk and Nadia Montelongo, both of Newton; brother, Dylan Burgess, Ellsworth; grandparents, Eva Montelongo, San Diego, June and Perry Krehbiel, Moundridge, Joann and Emanuel Miller, Lititz, Pa.; aunts and uncles, Kim Sawyer, Wichita, Steve Montelongo, San Diego, Joel and Allyson Krehbiel, Newton, Jonathan and Petula Miller, New Braunfels, Tex., Justin and Audra Miller, Adamstown, Pa.; nephews, Christian Martinez and Dean Britton, Newton; cousins, Haley Terronez and Brian Sawyer, Wichita, Caden, Finley, and Caitlyn Miller, New Braunfels, Jalyn and Aria Miller, Adamstown.

David was preceded in death by his grandmother, Florence "Grandma Flo" Henry, and his great-grandmother, Mildred "Grahamcracker" Cook.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E 1st St, Newton, KS 67114.

Donations in David's memory can be made to Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center, 702 N Main St, Newton, KS 67114 or Prevent Child Abuse America (www.preventchildabuse.org).

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com