LING, DAVID ALLAN

David Ling of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2023, at his home, with his family by his side. He was 81. He was born May 15, 1942, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, son of the late Allan and Dorothy (Berger) Ling. He graduated from L’anse Creuse High School, Mt Clemens, MI in 1961. David earned his bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University where he excelled as a national level debater and won the of heart of teammate, Kathleen Mcdonald whom he married in 1967. He earned his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota and completed his Ph. D at Wayne State University. In 1971, he and Kathy moved to Mt. Pleasant where he began teaching at Central Michigan University. He taught in the Department of Speech Communication for over 35 years, coached the debate team for 12 years and served as president of the Faculty Association. He was elected to the Isabella County Board of Commissioners, serving the county for 22 years, nine of which he served as chair. David had been a longtime member of the St. Mary’s University Parish on the campus of CMU where he once served as president of the parish council. He was also a member of many other public service organizations and was especially proud of the role he played in establishing the Isabella County Human Rights Commission. In addition to serving the community, David also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles, playing cards with family and friends, and cheering his beloved Detroit Tigers. More than anything, David loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandson. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 56 years, Kathleen; three children, Duane Ling of Mt. Pleasant, Michael (Kristina) Ling of Walnut Creek, CA, and Elisabeth Ling of Mt Pleasant; three grandchildren, Abigail Ling, Lydia (fiance’ Kohlby Hasselman) Anderson (and their mother, Debra Anderson) and Victoria Ling; one great grandson, Leland Hasselman; sister, Marie Mcdougal; step sisters, Gay (Richard) Dimock and Linda Busick; step brother, Tom Bronson; and in-laws James Mcdonald, Paul Mcdonald, Jane Favot and John Tomaszewski as well as many extended family members, and dear friends, colleagues and students all of whom knew him to be a kind, gentle, compassionate man who was dedicated to making the world a better place. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allan and Dorothy Ling; stepmother, Betty Bronson; brother in -law, Douglas Mcdougal; stepbrother in-law, Steve Busick; and two sisters in-law, Nancy Mcdonald and Susan Tomaszewski. A Funeral Mass for David will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 7, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Shepherd. Father Fred Kawka will preside. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Thursday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the David and Kathleen Ling Scholarship at Central Michigan University or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.charlesrlux.com.

www.charlesrlux.com