David “Dave” Carl Richards

October 7, 1946 ~ June 14, 2023

David “Dave” Carl Richards, 76, passed away in his home Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Shelby, Mich.

Dave was born to Orlu and Anna (Horstmeyer) Richards October 7, 1946, in Dimondale, Mich. He was raised with his siblings, Nancy (Rich) Monroe, Paul (Ruth) Richards and Roger Richards. He attended Lutheran School and was the first class from Dimondale to be bussed into and graduate from Holt High School after Dimondale High closed. Dave went on to work for General Motors in Lansing, later retiring from the Saturn Plant in Tennessee after more than 30 combined years of commitment and service.

In 1968, Dave married Carla “Sue” (Underhill) Richards, daughter of the late Robert, Sr. and Marion (Hoffman) Underhill. He added sisterin-law Jane (Dale) Schwalm, brother-in-law Robert “Bud” (Linda) Underhill and the late brother-in-law Peter (Sheryl) Underhill to his family. Dave and Sue shared 54 memorable years of marriage before she went to her Lord. Carla preceded Dave in death in November 2022, after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia, throughout which he graciously cared for her.

In his life, Dave enjoyed hunting, fishing, racing cars, watching football, auto and drag racing. He loved to work on cars, especially those of family and friends; it was said that he was “working on engines before he learned to walk.” He also enjoyed building and fixing things. Dave could always be seen working on a project, whether that was splitting wood for winter, planting a garden, picking berries, helping a friend, neighbor or stranger, or tinkering on something in his garage. He derived great pleasure from helping others find solutions to any kind of home or auto issue. He set an excellent example in the way he took care of others. Dave would give you the shirt off his back without a second thought if you needed it. If he found out you liked something you can bet he’d show up with it. He attended the Lutheran church and was proud to have served on several servant events, including one to Puerto Rico, helping rebuild homes following natural disasters. He spent an extended amount of time in Alabama in a project management role while rebuilding homes damaged by a tornado. Dave was also very supportive of The Ladder Community Center in Shelby. He enjoyed doing small projects, cleaning and visiting the Center on a regular basis.

Dave is survived by: his children, Leanne (Warren) VanOverbeke, Mindi (Chris) Gerzseny, Gregg Richards and Dante Richards; Foster daughter, Noelle Wright and her daughter Veda; Grandchildren, Nathan Proctor, Rebekah (Cory) Kelley, Evan (Bri) Proctor, Bruce VanOverbeke, Jacob VanBuren, Zachary Gerzseny, and Ashley (Leah) Gerzseny Andary; great grandchildren, Liam Kelley, Rosie Teklinski, Hudson Wetzig and Isabel Proctor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 8945 Stebbins Rd., Montague, MI 49437.

Memorial Services will take place Monday, July 10, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, 8945 Stebbins Rd., Montague, MI 49437. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services, with a luncheon immediately following at the church.

Harris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.harrisfhome.com