Feb. 22, 1954 — Oct. 8, 2013

David R. LaBine, 59, of Dowagiac, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, following a lengthy illness.

He was born on February 22, 1954 in Ontonagan, Michigan to the Forest & Fern (Gooding) LaBine. David had a deep personal faith and was raised in the Assembly of God in his home town.

After graduating high school David attended Dundee Industrial School in Minnesota where he began what would be a 25-year career as auto body specialist, co-owning Watervliet Auto Body from 1978-1988. David enjoyed helping others and led him to a career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. He was currently employed at Pro-Step in Mishawaka. David enjoyed hunting, playing basketball, restoring antique automobiles and had a passion for working with Williams Syndrome children. David was gifted as a mechanic and had the ability to build or re-build about anything; from a young age David and his family would build soapbox derby cars, winning many awards and trophies.

On Nov. 11, 1990 David married Viky Diamond-Taggart at a ceremony in Dowagiac, Mich.

He is preceded in death by his mother Fern LaBine and a sister-in-law Lori LaBine as well as several aunts and uncles.

David is survived by his wife Viky (Diamond) LaBine of Dowagiac, his father Forest T. (Jen) LaBine of Silver Springs, Fla., a son Adam LaBine (Jasmine Neldon) of Niles, daughter Ashlea LaBine (Rejji Beals) of South Bend, a step-son Travis Taggart of Dowagiac, a brother Tom LaBine of Green Bay, Wisc., a sister Joy (Jim) Matteson of Ironwood, Mich., two uncles Ronnie Gooding of Cheboygan and Doug Gooding of Iron Mountain, an aunt Dorothy Williams of Herring, Ill., two nephews and a niece.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel with a time of visitation beginning at 2 p.m. An interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in David’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation PO BOX 350333 Westminster, Col. 80035.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, Crematory and Gardens.