David F. Lerew

1935 - 2022

David F. Lerew
December 7, 1935 - October 31, 2022
David F. Lerew, age 86, died Monday, October 31, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 7, 1935 in Detroit, the son of Thomas and Marvel (Beardslee) Lerew.
Dave graduated from Ferris State University in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he worked as chief accountant for the university, retiring in 1999 as director of finance. Dave believed education was important and enjoyed volunteering with FSU's College of Pharmacy student projects. Prior to Ferris he spent 27 years at Michigan Consolidated Gas Company with his last role as assistant superintendent of the drilling department in Big Rapids. Dave had a great love for sun, sand, water and boating, spending summers with his family on Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada, pontooning on the Muskegon River and spending winters in the Florida Keys. He was a member of the Muskegon River Boat Club and a lifetime member of the Elk's Club. With a passion for music and art of all kinds, and he enjoyed being in the Canadian Lakes Men's Chorus, Harmonica's In Class, reading (especially Wilbur Smith in his later years) and writing haiku poetry. He so loved to travel across the US and abroad. Traveling by train across Central Europe for six and half weeks with Shirley was his favorite. He was heavily involved in Artworks of Big Rapids, where he created, implemented, and managed their accounting system in its early years and served on their board of directors. Dave enjoyed cooking and was famous for his amazing Sunday breakfasts. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family, sharing his love, laughter and wisdom with each of them.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Shirley; children Lisa (Steve) Hodges, David (Julie) Lerew, Cherie (Bob) VanEssen, Karen (Mark) Weber; grandchildren, Patrick (Chrissy) Hodges, Nick (Maria) Hodges, Emily (Tony Hettler) Lerew, Allison (Trevor) Coblentz, Brianna Ewigleben, Shelby Ewigleben, Kristen Verrill, Alex Verrill, Dayne Weber; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Nevaeh, Natalie, Christopher, Claire, Dax; nephew, Eric (Tara) Lerew; and niece, Denise (Barry) Spiegal. Dave was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Robert Lerew.
Memorial services will take place 3:00 p.m., Friday November 4, 2022 at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Reverend Eric Lerew officiating. The family will greet friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2022 at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service on Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dave's name to Artworks in Big Rapids and the Dave and Shirley Lerew Scholarship Endowment through The Ferris Foundation.
Please leave a picture, condolence or memory at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com