Jan. 8, 1954 — March 18, 2016

David Eugene McCarty, 62, of Niles, Michigan died on Friday, March 18, 2016, at his home, unexpectedly but of natural causes.

He was born on January 8, 1954 in Charleston, West Virginia to John and Barbara (Cooper) McCarty. He was graduated from Elkhart (Indiana) High School in 1972 (the last class before dividing into two high schools), and attended Brown Mackie College in South Bend, Indiana. He enjoyed cooking, teaching others to cook, and managing the Stop-In Family Restaurant at Barron Lake.

David and his long-time companion and fiancée, Laura (Priest) Schaffert had planned to be wed on March 19, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his father, John McCarty, and by a step-father, Jerry Northern.

Surviving family – in addition to Laura – includes his daughter, Anita Ramirez of Elkhart, 4 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; Laura’s children, Tameral L. Priest, Andrew W. Schaffert, Sr., Rhonda L. Schaffert, and Sabrina L. Schaffert, 15 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren; David’s mother and step-father, Barbara & Eugene Marley of Middlebury, Indiana; and David’s siblings, John McCarty of Middlebury, Indiana, Virginia Werner of Mishawaka, Indiana, Cyndi Presnell of Lakeville, Indiana, Rita Reed of South Bend, Edna Walker of Niles and step-siblings Phillip Northern of South Bend, Billy Northern of Overland, Missouri, Chad Marley of Port Richie, Florida, and Cara Woosley of Indiana.

The family, relatives, and friends of David and Laura – who gathered on Saturday, March 19 to celebrate their wedding – instead celebrated and honored David’s life at that time. They gathered later, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Elkhart’s Rice Cemetery for his committal.

Contributions in memory of David may be made to the American Heart Association, or to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com