David Lee Chavalia began his next journey on June 6, 2023.  He was born on February 20, 1959, to Leonard and Beatrice Chavalia in Traverse City.  He was raised on the family farm on Blackman Road in Kingsley.  He attended Kingsley Schools and was a lifelong resident of Kingsley.  As a young man he worked for Lester Irish at Shamrock Salvage.  In the 1980s he began working for Dan's Auto Repair until 2008 (then known as MDS Auto).  Dave was an auto mechanic extraordinaire and provided many in Kingsley and the greater area with affordable quality auto repair services up to and on the day he passed.

Dave had a lifetime love of snowmobiling, mud bogs, watching snowmobile, car and virtually anything with an engine race! Kayaking, card playing, grilling-out, beer drinking, and year-round bonfires with friends and family also topped the list of his favorite things.

David and his wife Jean got together in 1986 when their children were young, and married in 2002.  In their late 40s they adopted and raised their four grandchildren.  Dave was a quiet, hardworking and unassuming man.  It was through his actions that he showed that he was a good Husband, Father, and Friend. Dave had beautiful blue eyes that sparkled when he laughed, which was often.  His wonderful sense of humor and the sound of his laugher was heartwarming and contagious.

Dave will be dearly missed by: his wife, Jean; his son, Keith Camp (Jen Moore); his stepchildren, Joseph and Rebecca Reid; his adopted children, Destyne, Dylan, Robbie, and  Shaylin Chavalia;  his siblings, Patricia Wright,  Roger Chavalia, Joseph Chavalia, Sandra Chavalia, and Gary (Sally) Chavalia; his sisters-in-law, Cindy Chavalia, Mary (Joe) Pickard, Pamela LaPlante, Penny Whiteford Pass, and Angela (Wyman) Friske; his grandchildren, Cameron and Seth Camp, Bryon Antcliff, Makheala and Erin Lovely;  his great-grandson, Mason; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his mother-in-law, Patricia Whiteford; his stepson, Benjamin Reid; his brother, James Chavalia; his brothers-in-law, William Wright and Bruce Pass, his sisters-in-law, Christine Swaney and Shelly Seeger and a niece, Lauren McDowell.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, with Pastor Colleen Wierman officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home, and a celebration luncheon will be held at the Kingsley Sportsman's Club following the service.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, in Kingsley, at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Jean Chavalia, 4893 Benjamin Donald Road, Kingsley,  MI 49649.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com