David E. Havrilla

David Edward Havrilla, of East Lansing and Caseville Michigan, loving husband, devoted father, caring brother, faithful MSU fan, and loyal friend to all who knew him, died on Friday October 29, 2021. David was born February 26, 1948, in Detroit, to the late Dale Havrilla and Beatrice (Schultz) Havrilla. Dave was an Eagle Scout and attended St. Peter Lutheran School in East Detroit. He graduated from East Detroit high school in 1966 and went on to pursue a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. He was a member of Tau Delta Phi and graduated from the Eli Broad College of Business. Dave's great devotion to MSU caused him to settle permanently near his beloved alma mater.

For the next 40 years, Dave pursued a career in the field of insurance, owning and operating the Havrilla Allstate Agency in Okemos, Michigan. Although Dave was known for his insurance expertise and customer care, he was an active member in his community. Dave participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he adopted his “little brother” Brian Clippert.

He raised funds as a board member for Haven House, he was chair of the Caseville Planning Commission, member of St. Martha Catholic Church choir, the Saint Isabel Catholic Church choir on Sanibel, Florida, and a member of the Sanibel Big Arts Chorus. As a lover of theater and music, he participated in the Steiner Chorale, Wharton Center Advisory Council and Knights in Harmony. Most recently, Dave also looked forward to spending time at his winter home on Sanibel Island, Florida, where he became embedded in the heart of the community.

Dave spearheaded a major fundraising campaign for Haven House that involved the collection and publication of recipes for the MSU tailgating cookbooks. He was honored as the outstanding MSU Alumni Volunteer of 2010.

While Dave loved all of his family and friends, his greatest loves were his two children, David and Christie. Dave proudly supported their dreams, education, athletic endeavors, and encouraged all of their aspirations. Some of his fondest memories included, family vacations, being his children's biggest fans at sporting events, their weddings, and the birth of his grandchildren. Dave was an avid reader, constant learner, and a lover of lake life. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining those dearest to him with his wife Karen. Dave was an attentive “dog dad” and enjoyed taking them for walks and including them in many aspects of his family life.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Karen Bush Schneider Havrilla, his son David Adam (Carrie) Havrilla), grandson Benjamin, daughter Christie Alexis (Andrew) Hanes, grandson Hayden, stepdaughter Emily (Jason) Mrosz, granddaughter Zoey, as well as his brothers, Jim (Carol) Havrilla, Tom (Tommie Gayle) Havrilla, Gary Havrilla, sister Nancy Hellowell, and Michael Gabriel. He is also survived by his aunts, Mary Ellen Havrilla and Marion Havrilla, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a visitation at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday November 3, 2021. A second visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W Grand River Ave, Okemos, MI 48864, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may contribute, in memory of Dave, to Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906, Caseville Community Food Pantry, PO Box 1027 Caseville, MI 48725, or Haven House, 121 Whitehills Dr, East Lansing, MI 48823.