David D. DeNooyer

With his huge heart and great sense of humor, Dave DeNooyer always had an easy time making friends. With those same qualities, he was a very loving husband and father who kept his family in the center of his thoughts. Nothing brought Dave more pride than his three girls, and he was always happiest when he was with them.

Throughout America the 1960's marked a time of social change and cultural revolution. No longer satisfied with the conservative ethics of the 1950's, young folks adopted new ways of thinking which changed the cultural fabric of American life. Amid this climate of change, Don and Ann DeNooyer eagerly awaited the birth of their fourth child, and on January 6, 1966 they welcomed their son David into the family home in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The youngest of four children, Dave grew up with the company of his two older sisters and his brother. He was a good-natured kid who loved to clown around. Even as a youngster, he exuded a unique sense of humor that would follow him throughout his life. In September of 1974, the DeNooyer family decided to leave their house in town and move out to the country. Dave quickly adapted to this new way of life. He enjoyed raising animals, and he showed his rabbits and goats at 4-H each year. Dave also loved the wide-open spaces of the country. His father built him a tree house where he spent a good deal of his time, and his favorite hobbies were snowmobiling and riding his mini-bike. When he broke his arm in a mini-bike accident, he resorted to his indoors hobby: train collections.

Dave attended the Battle Creek Christians Schools through the sixth grade. Later, at Pennfield High School, he participated in the drama club and DJ-ed at school dances. Interested in mechanical and electrical things he enjoyed taking electronics classes at the Vo-Tech Center. He graduated with the class of 1984.

During high school Dave formed his two most dear friendships with Jeff Barnaby, his life-long confidante, and Tim Fish, a fellow DJ and business partner. He worked at Russ' Restaurant during high school, but after his graduation he took on a job as a realtor. After two years, he moved to Kalamazoo where he worked at Russ' Restaurant and Video City for a short time. In 1991 he began working as a manager for Godfather's Pizza, and he recently became the part-owner of the Battle Creek franchise. He and Tim also formed their own business entitled Reminder USA, which designed appreciation gifts for companies.

While working at Russ' Restaurant in Kalamazoo, Dave became friends with an attractive young coworker named Mary Farmer. Although they were only friends, she agreed to go on a date with him. They enjoyed a nice dinner at Olive Garden before taking in a movie at the local theater. Their friendship grew into a romance, and nine months later on Mary's birthday Dave proposed to her. They were married on July 14, 1990 at the Third Christian Reformed Church.

Dave and Mary were blessed with three wonderful daughters. Miranda was born in 1994, followed by Rachel in 1996 and Alyssa in 1999. Dave loved to take his girls on family trips to Traverse City and Mackinaw. He was a devoted father, and he was always the happiest in their company. He loved to take them putt-putting, and he was always proud to watch Miranda in her dance recitals. Dave raised his daughters in the Kalamazoo Covenant Church where all the girls were baptized, though they recently began attending the Third Reformed Church.

Dave loved to spend time with his family and close friends. One of his favorite retreats was his parents-in-law's lake home on Portage Lake.Larry and Dixie loved to watch Dave play in the water with his girls. Dave always stayed close to his brother and sisters, as well as his parents. He loved going to Battle Creek for big family reunions, where he enjoyed playing games and watching his daughters become better friends with their cousins. Last year Dave took his family down to Disney World. Larry and Dixie joined the family down in Florida to share in the vacation. It was a perfect trip, filled with many fond memories that Dave always cherished.

Around the house, Dave enjoyed keeping busy with carpentry work - he always had a remodeling project in mind, and Larry Farmer would often come by to help him. Jeff and Tim remained his best friends, and they continued to play a very special part in his life. Dave could always confide in Jeff, and he could count on Tim for spiritual guidance. Although he and Mary were always busy with the kids, they sometimes found a free evening to dedicate to each other. In the spirit of their first date so many years ago, they liked to go out to dinner before heading over to the movie theater.

Among his family and many friends, Dave was known for his good-natured sense of humor and his huge heart. His familiar smile and frequent laugh will be cherished in the memories of the many people who loved him.

Dave died on April 21, 2006 at Borgess Medical Center after suffering heart problems. Learn more about Dave, view his Life Story Film, and visit with his family on Sunday from 1-3 & 5-8 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane. His service will be held on Monday at 2 PM at the Third Reformed Church on 10th Street. Dave's family includes his wife, Mary; children, Miranda, Rachel, and Alyssa all of Portage; his parents Don & Ann DeNooyer of Battle Creek; siblings: Laura DeNooyer-Moore & Tim Moore of Wisconsin, Carol & José Garcia of Mexico, and Jake & Mary Beth DeNooyer of Toronto; parents-in-law, Larry & Dixie Farmer of Three Rivers; sister-in-law, Kim Farmer of South Carolina; 9 nieces & nephews, 21 cousins and several aunts and uncles. Please visit Dave's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may archive a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to the Third Reformed Church for the DeNooyer children's education fund.