David R. LaBine

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

He was born on Feb. 22, 1954, in Ontonagon, to Forest and Fern (Gooding) LaBine. David had a deep personal faith and was raised in the Assembly of God in his hometown.

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 that led him to a career as a certified occupational therapy assistant. He was currently employed at Pro-Step in Mishawaka, Ind.

David enjoyed hunting, playing basketball and 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 rebuild 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.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Fern LaBine; 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, Ind .; a stepson, Travis Taggart, of Dowagiac; a brother, Tom LaBine, of Green Bay, Wis .; a sister, Joy (Jim) Matteson, of Ironwood; two uncles, Ronnie Gooding, of Cheboygan, and Doug Gooding, of Iron Mountain; an aunt, Dorothy Williams, of Herring, Ill .; and two nephews and a niece.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, Niles, with a time of visitation beginning at 2 p.m.

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, P.O. Box 350333, Westminster CO 80035.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at brownfuneralhomeniles.com or on the funeral home’s Facebook page, facebook.com/brownfuneralhomeniles.

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