David E. Bevins

Comfortable in his own skin, David Edward Bevins was at ease just being himself and was never one to be judgmental. Always caring and strong, David was a nature lover at heart and was a compassionate soul who touched the lives of many with his kindness and caring. A loving husband and father, David is deeply loved by his family and many friends and will be forever remembered. As families began thriving with new standards of living the American dream was being realized. As the Korean War finally ended with the signing of the Armistice Agreement between nations, local unions gathered strength in numbers in the work force. Many advances were made in medicine while the testing of the first hydrogen bomb took place. In Flint, Michigan the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced off the assembly line while in the lakeshore community of Muskegon, Michigan Richard and Virginia (Hall) Bevins had cause for celebration as they welcomed the birth of a baby boy they named David Edward on March 1, 1953. David joined older siblings Garth, Terry, Marcia and Cheryl. Being the baby brother, Davids sister Cheryl was protective of him. Although his boyhood was filled with many activities common to young boys, Davids childhood was difficult when it came to settling into school and making lasting friendships as his family moved about. With his love for the outdoors, David discovered he had a love for animals that continued throughout his life. During his early high school years Davids social life really took off when the family settled in Holton, Michigan. While attending Holton High School David developed his love for sports. He played football, basketball and was a member of the track team before graduating in 1972. One fateful autumn day during his senior year David met the love of his life while camping with friends. Diane Sipe not only caught Davids eye but his heart as well and from that point on he was never the same. David lived in Holton while Diane lived almost 18 miles away in Muskegon, Michigan. One way or another David was determined to see her and lacking a car didnt deter him in the least. He walked or hitched a ride to see Diane and then headed back home again. That following spring in 1973 David proposed to Diane and on February 22, 1974 they became husband and wife. The young couple began married life living in an apartment at Oakwood Village for about a year before they bought their first home in the Muskegon Heights area. David worked at the Brown Morris Company while Diane worked at Medallion Instruments. Together they enjoyed volleyball as well as wonderful memories camping and tubing with their many friends and family. Days were made even brighter when David got a new job as a steel laborer with Westran Corporation in 1974. Making a good living, David and Diane enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle until the beginning of hard economic times hit the area and David was laid off from his job in 1977. Davids sole desire was to provide a good life for Diane and to care for her. Discouraged and with no job prospects, he decided to join the Marines. It was hard for Diane to make ends meet while David was away. Forced to sell their home, she went to live with her family. Once David completed basic training he was eager to come home to his beloved Diane. During Davids brief stay they enjoyed a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio before he was shipped out to Okinawa, Japan. Soon after his departure Diane discovered she was carrying their first child. It was a difficult time for them but Diane wrote many love letters to David while he was away. David was elated to learn he was going to be a father and it only strengthened his love for Diane. It was devastating to learn that the military would not grant David leave to come home for the birth of their baby. Even so, one of the happiest days of his life was receiving the news that his son Daniel was born on June 4, 1978. That following October David received orders to report to the Marine base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where they remained as a family until Davids discharge from the military in 1981. Fate again played a positive role in their lives when they moved back to Muskegon and David returned to his job at Westran. Renamed West Michigan Steel, David remained working there for the next 27 years. Before long they moved into a trailer at Timberline Estates where David and Diane found enjoyment having friends and family over for cookouts and spending time tubing and playing volleyball. Most important to them and their shared joy was raising Dan together and being with family. In 1987 things were again going well for David and they were able to buy his dream home near Cedar Creek by the Manistee National Forest in Northern Muskegon County. David absolutely loved his home in the woods, living near the creek and the wide open spaces that the area had to offer. It was in this home where Davids family and friends gathered for memorable cookouts and get-togethers by many campfires. They also thoroughly enjoyed snowmobiling, cross country skiing where breaks were often taken with sips of black berry brandy. David just loved being in the outdoors and his love of animals continued. A beloved family dog could always be found in their home and Davids dog Max was his constant companion and was always at his side. He had a way with crossbreed dogs and was convinced that they were the best. Their home also provided a welcome place for Dan and his friends to hang out playing football in the yard or basketball in the driveway. David loved the fact that Dan had acquired his love for sports and he was proud of Dan when he went on to play football and basketball. David and Diane were sure to be in the stands cheering his team on. Not only did David enjoy bowling with his friends but he rarely missed watching a pro football game and he was especially an avid fan of the University of Michigan football team. He loved the many memories and special times he enjoyed with Diane and their life together. Each year he looked forward to the great times they would have on the annual trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan to enjoy Christmas shopping together. Content, life was good for David until it forever changed in 2003. Noticing changes in his health, David soon was diagnosed with cancer. In 2004 he endured two surgeries where a portion of his colon and lung was removed and after a grueling round of chemotherapy treatments David was cancer free for the next 18 months. Not one to complain, David never let on that he was feeling ill or weak. After discovering the cancer had returned last year Davids goal was to be at his sons wedding. He joyously witnessed the marriage of Dan and Melissa in March of 2009 in a beautiful ceremony that included Melissas son Dylan whom David had come to love. He and Dylan formed a special bond and were the best of buddies. They often took long walks along the creek just enjoying one anothers company and talking. David fought a courageous battle but knowing he would not recover he chose to discontinue chemotherapy in August. He and Diane took time for a weekend trip to Traverse City, Michigan and enjoyed a wine tasting tour. This time proved to be very special between them. He also had the opportunity for one last canoe trip with Dan and a few friends this past summer, too. Without the chemo, David felt much better and experienced a rally for a time that allowed him to live life to the fullest completely loving and experiencing those around him. Davids battle ended when he sadly died on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the age of 56. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those he leaves behind. David is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane; son, Daniel (Melissa) Bevins of Muskegon; grandchild, Dylan Coffman; brothers, Garth (Sandy) Reynolds, Terry (MaryAnn) Reynolds; sister, Cheryl (Ron) Fredericks; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Margie) Sipe, Keith (Pam) Sipe; special friend, Scott Daunt; aunts, uncles, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marcia. SERVICE: Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 2:00 PM at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. VISITATION: Monday, 6-8 PM and one hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice or the Johnson Cancer Center. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, submit a photo or sign Davids online guest book.