David Weyenberg

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, David Weyenberg was a hardworking and honorable man who brought countless blessings to those around him. He had a great sense of humor and when you became a friend you were a friend for life. There was no greater gift in David’s life than his family, and he was so proud to witness his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps. There was much to celebrate in America with the end of WWII in 1945. The years that followed were transitional ones when rationing was no longer needed, and as a nation we continued to be recognized as a world power and the voice of democracy. This same time brought much to celebrate in the lives of a young family as they welcomed the baby boy, they named David Larry Weyenberg into their hearts and home on April 17, 1947. He was one of four children as he was joined in his family by his siblings, Ronald, Mary Lou, and Paul. Raised in the Celery Flats area of Southwestern Michigan, David was a typical young boy of his generation in many ways. He attended local schools where he was sent home one day because he wasn’t wearing a belt. When a friend of David’s father had a car that wouldn’t run, he gave it to David to tinker with. He was just a young boy of seven at the time, but he got the car running and was driving it around Celery Flats when he was only seven. This was the beginning of a lifetime spent being able to get any car in any shape up and running. By the time he got to high school, David always had a nicer car than his teachers did, and he was part of the first graduating class from Portage Northern High School after they split from Portage Central. Shortly after he graduated, David was drafted into the military. He was sent to Vietnam, but he was soon granted emergency leave to come home and help take care of his father after a debilitating surgery. When he got back to Chicago, David had been listed as AWOL so family members and his church pastor wrote letters to the Army to explain. David was finally successfully discharged and became head of household for his family. Not to be forgotten during his younger years was David’s introduction to the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Edith Gasaway, and they met at Portage Central and became high school sweethearts. After dating for four years, they became husband and wife on January 22, 1968. Together they were blessed with the births of two daughters, Amy and Melinda. When the girls married, their husbands became his sons who he loved as his own. Family was always his primary focus, and David loved being with his family whenever he could. He was a great cook who was especially known for his BBQ ribs and his soup. As a family they made many trips to Disney World for spring break, and they even once attended a wedding there. Most times they drove down in an RV, but they usually stayed at a Disney resort once they got there. Additional favorite family times were spent at the home of his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Irma and Dale’s home in Manistee. Their home was always open, and it was always where the family gathered during the holidays. There were air mattresses all over the house for everyone, and whoever got there last got the sleeper sofa. Several times the guys were known to make snow angels in their bathing suits after sitting in the hot tub. David was thrilled when five grandchildren, Ethan, Alex, Merrick, Hannah, and Parker, came along, and they also had several bonus grandchildren in the form of exchange students from Finland and Germany including Erika, Kathi, Rebecca, Simone, and Jeremy. Of course, David’s love for cars remained throughout his entire life. His first car after he got married was a 1970 Chevelle. Although he had to sell this car at one point, he was elated to find a 1970 Chevelle in a junk yard in Florida later in life. It didn’t run, but in true David form he had the car running before it even left the lot! Not surprisingly, the owner of the lot offered him a job on the spot! He was always an amazing mechanic who could work on any car whenever anyone needed help with a vehicle. All who knew David Weyenberg would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was a man of many gifts and talents, and he loved using these gifts and talents to help those around him in ways both great and small. David was deeply devoted to his family, and he treasured his roles as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Deeply loved, he will never be forgotten. David Weyenberg, of Vicksburg, MI passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at the age of 74. He was born on April 17, 1947 in Kalamazoo, MI. The son of Theodore and Maxine (Derhammer) Weyenberg. David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Edie (Gasaway) Weyenberg; children, Amy (Rick) Manchester and Melinda (Steve) St. Clair; grandchildren, Ethan (Gabby), Alex (Shannon), Merrick (Falco), Hannah, and Parker; bonus grandchildren, Erika from Finland, Kathi from Germany, Rebecca from Germany, Simone from Germany, and Jeremy from Germany; great grandchildren, Nora and twins on the way; siblings, Ronald (Alice) Weyenberg, and Mary Lou (Don) Oman; sister-in-law, Irma Fox ; brother-in-law, Ed (Pat) Gasaway; sister-in-law, Terri Gasaway; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. David is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul Weyenberg; brother-in-law, Dale Fox; and brother-in-law, Bert Gasaway. Visitation will be held Monday, September 13, 2021 from 4 to 7pm at McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Service will be Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 11am at McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Memorial contributions made in David’s memory may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home during the visitation and at the church during the funeral service. While visiting David’s tribute page please take a moment to light a candle or share a memory with the family. The Weyenberg family is being assisted by McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Rupert – Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097. www.mccowensecord.com. (269)649-1697.