David Lee Chamberlain

David Lee Chamberlain, known to many as “Happy Dave”, age 83, from Kalamazoo and Delton, Michigan, passed away with family and friends by his side on Thursday, May 8, 2025. He was born April 13, 1942, in Galesburg, Michigan to the late Roy and Viola (Truax) Chamberlain. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War Era. During his working years he worked in construction with his brother-in-law/best friend Marvin Horn and as a tow truck driver with Billy and Susie Kline. Happy Dave loved spending time with his children and their families. He had a special fondness for his grandchildren, both two and four legged! He was happiest when going for a ride to look for deer, fishing, and going to the races. In his later years, Happy Dave LOVED going to Baldwin with his daughter Annie and son-in-law Nate and a large group of friends to ride the trails in a SxS and sit around the campfire. Dad never turned down a chance to go for a “buggy ride”! Dad loved to go for a ride on the pontoon boat in the evening to watch the sunset on Crooked Lake. Happy Dave was a voracious reader and especially enjoyed westerns and military history. Fun fact is that less than 1 in a million will be struck by lightning, and Happy Dave was struck twice working the wrecker service! Dad was a survivor and his grandson Jacob said it was because Happy Dave had tiger blood running through his veins. Survivors include his 5 children, Clarice De La Fuente, Holly Biron, Annie (Nathan) Minshall, Nichole (Brett) Nash, and David Chamberlain; grandchildren Cristian, Nicholas, Kenneth Charles (KC) (Amanda), Brandon, Brianna, Leah (Nicholas), Jacob (Lexi), Tamara (Jeremiah), and Jessie (Robbie); great-grandchildren Faith, Ryleigh, Cole, Tessa, Harlei, Stassi, Hunner, Braelynne, Kenzi, Jackson, and Wyatt; brother, Roger (Beverly) Chamberlain; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and two very special friends Collin (better known as Kyle!) and Trish Hicks. Special thank you to daughter Nichole, and son-in-law Brett for Happy Dave’s daily care. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Viola Chamberlain; siblings Betty (Gordon) Maneke, Gene (Barbara) Chamberlain, Barbara (Marvin) Horn, and Linda (Tom) Keefer. Per his wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 1:00pm at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey Rd, Plainwell, MI 49080. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Corewell Health Inpatient Hospice and Butterworth Hospital for their compassion and care throughout this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Corewell Health Hospice. (click the link below to donate online) To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Happy Dave’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care.