David DeCourval

Funeral Information

Visitation is from 2-8pm on Sunday January 26 at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. A memorial service will be conducted at 11am Monday January 27, 2014 at Bad Axe High School. Visitation is from l0 am until the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bad Axe High School Soccer team, First United Methodist Church of Bad Axe, or the American Cancer Society.

Family of the Deceased

Dave is survived by his wife, Anita, of Bad Axe, daughter Heather (Sam) Centellas of South Bend, IN, sons Matt (Cristy) of Mesa, AZ, and Greg of Macomb Twp, MI; four grandchildren; Braydi and Bailey DeCourval and Novali and Cruz Centellas. He was looking forward to the birth of 2 additional grandchildren in February. He is also survived by 4 sisters; Susan (Larry) Stecco, Janice (Chip) Hill, Linda, and Mary (Mark) Freedman; brothers-in-law; Robert (Shelley) Williams, Richard (Mary) Williams, Ross (Teri) Williams, Mark (Kris) Williams and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear longtime friends, and especially cherishing his role as "Papa" to his grandchildren.

Biography

Dave was born Nov. 1, 1954 in Flint, MI, son of the late Jim and Mary Alice DeCourval. He married Anita Williams on June 18, 1977 at First Presbyterian Church in Flint. They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with their dream vacation in Hawaii for 3 weeks. Dave was a graduate of Western Michigan University. As a Michigan State Trooper, he served 25 years in the South Haven, Caro, and Bad Axe posts, retiring as a sergeant in 2003. Dave was instrumental in bringing soccer to Bad Axe as a youth organization and high school sport. He was the Bad Axe High School Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer Coach for 20 years. He had a special way of holding his players responsible for their actions and being firm while also being light hearted, funny, and a great role model. He loved coaching and he loved his players. He motivated his teams with this quote, "If it is to be, it's up to me." He enjoyed golf, skiing, carpentry, gardening and being active. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially cherishing his role as "Papa" to his grandchildren.

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