David Julian Wild

David Julian Wild, 85, of Benton Harbor passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at home.

A celebration of life service to honor David's memory will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at the Leonard Funeral Home in Lawrence, where the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. David will be laid to rest in Hill Cemetery, Lawrence. The family has requested that those wishing to make a memorial do so to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

David was born March 18, 1928, in Hamilton Township, the son of Edward and Marcia (Howard) Wild. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School, and for 34 years he was employed at Auto Specialties in St. Joseph. He also worked at Lakes Bowl in Sister Lakes and at Hill Top Orchards in Lawrence. David enjoyed the outdoors and fiddling around in his garden. He served his country proudly in the Army during the Korean War and was a life member of the Rising Sun Lodge 119 of Lawrence.

David married the former Nadine Pawluk on June 26, 1954. She survives, along with a son, Danny Wild of Sister Lakes; a daughter, Linda "Shorty" Reynnells Heuser (Ricky) Nelson of Mora, Minn.; a granddaughter, Amy (Rob) Bills of Shreveport, La.; and five great-grandchildren.

David was preceded in passing by his parents; a sister, Helen Tinker; and two brothers, Howard and Ted Wild.