David Lee Schabbel

September 13th, 1928 - April 20th, 2022

David's Memory Wall

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My condolences to Clara, Heather and the Schabble family. I remember biking across the bridge from Uncle Leo’s house to see Uncle Dave and that big grin of his. He always made us kids feel welcome and was always so much fun to be around. I remember that he wore blue overalls and always seemed to be working, with a good number of tools, on some mechanical project. The time he let me lift the bridge in the harbor was definitely a highlight during my childhood! What a sweet, kind soul. Miss him, sending you all lots of love.

Shannon Guirl

April 20th, 2023 at 2:44am

Dave Schabbel was my father's best friend. I have no knowledge of how, when, or why they bonded but they did. When Dave and my dad were about sixteen and afraid they might miss out being in WWII, they ran away from home and enlisted in Oklahoma City. They said they were brothers with different fathers and wanted to be kept together and they were-- until time to be shipped overseas. Dave contracted malaria and when his recovery took longer than anticipated my father was shipped out to "the beautiful garden spot of the Pacific--Guam" and once healthy, Dave was shipped to Japan. After discharge and back in South Haven their friendship continued. Dave was a groomsman in my parent's wedding. Dave became Uncle Dave to myself and my siblings. Dave was a regular weekend golfing companion to my dad and his brother, Jim. Many a Sunday evening Uncle Jim's family and ours enjoyed a potluck style dinner at Dave's so we could watch The Wonderful World of Disney and Bonanza in color as Dave owned the first color television we'd ever seen. We did overnights on his cabin cruiser and he tried to teach us to waterski--only my cousin, Jan, getting the hang of it right off the bat. He was a ham radio operator and had an elaborate set-up in a bedroom of his house. On the floor was a genuine bearskin whose fur was not as soft as expected but whose teeth did not disappoint. On the wall was a photograph of some men gathered around the bear's carcass in front of a car. I was never quite clear whether the bear's fatality was caused by gunshot or a tragic car accident. Dave's laugh was infectious, and my cousin Dona, upon hearing of Dave's passing, said she'd never forget how his eyes crinkled when he'd smile. My sister, Lynne, saw Dave last summer in Meijer and he hadn't missed a beat as they spent a few moments of their shopping time to catch up with each other. While we have lost another member of the greatest generation, my family is grateful for many wonderful memories. Michele and Clara, we send our deepest sympathy.

David Lee Schabbel

David's Memory Wall

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