David Huntington

Because of life circumstances, David Paul Huntington could relate to many people. He had a compassionate ear and would go the extra mile to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

He was born on April 8, 1951 in Vicksburg, the youngest child of Harold and Margaret (Vroman) Huntington and graduated from Vicksburg High School. As a child, he was a mischievous and feisty boy who would stand up to his older brother and sister and was constantly on the move. He has been a lifelong resident of Vicksburg.

After completing high school, Dave took a job at General Motors at the Comstock Plant and worked there for more than 20 years retiring due to a disability in the early 1990’s. Over the years at GM he made many many friends.

Dave loved being in the outdoors. Much of his spare time was spent hunting or fishing. It was a lifelong passion that he learned from his father and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. Many weekends were spent hunting and fishing at the family cabin in Big Bend Park, but he also had many favorite spots within the local area. He took advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors. Because he hunted and fished so much, Dave became an excellent cook and was very creative in preparing all kinds of wild game dinners.

Dave had the uncanny ability to look beyond people’s faults and give them a second chance in life. Dave believed in the dignity of his fellow man and knew that everyone had a good side to him or her. If someone was in need, no matter how great or small, Dave was willing to go beyond expectations and help him or her to the best of his abilities.

Dave was a people person and enjoyed being with the crowd. He was a regular at the Vicksburg auctions where he would bid on treasures. He also liked to visit flea markets and would meet all kinds of people at his garage sales. Las Vegas was always one of Dave’s favorite destinations. He enjoyed the sights and sounds of the casinos and the thrill of the games. Sometimes he would go to the smaller casinos in Indiana or Manistee to try his luck. Wherever he was, Dave always made friends and was having a good time.

Dave died on Monday, January 27, 2003 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his son Mark J in 1982 and his father Harold J in 1992.

Members of his family include his daughter Misty and her husband Tim Olson of Portage, 3 grandchildren: Trisha, Heather and TJ Olson, his mother Margaret Huntington, his brother Doug and his wife Mimi of Vicksburg, his sister Helen (Sissy) and her husband Art Shultz of Vicksburg, several nieces, nephews, friends and his two faithful dogs: Molly and Penny.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-8 pm and on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home,

Vicksburg Chapel where his Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Friday. To read Dave’s life story, share a memory, make a donation to the Livingstone Counseling Center, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.