David L Shull

On June 11, 2021 at 7:55 AM David L. Shull was escorted by the angels to his heavenly home and into the arms of his blessed Savior. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His people.” Psalm 116:45

He is survived by his wife Beverly of 37 years, her sons Ron and Jeff, daughter-in-law Beth and granddaughter Anna. He is also survived by his son David, daughter-in-law Marian, their children; David, Michael, Stephen, Christen, and Katie, a daughter Diane, son-in-law Roger, and their children Roger and Mary along with eleven grandchildren from the family of David and Marian.

Dave was the oldest of three sons of Jesse and Clara Shull. He was brother to Charles M. Shull, and Chalmer “Jay” Shull and previously married to Mary Lou Watson, all of whom have preceded him in death.

Dr. Shull graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1940 and worked at Wilcox Rich in Battle Creek until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps for pilot training. After earning his wings and commission he was then assigned as commander and pilot of a B-24 bomber during WWII in the China, Burma, India area until 1946.

Upon returning to the U.S after the war, he joined the Air Force Reserve and was assigned as an Intelligence Officer for the North American Aerospace Defense Command where he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. He retired from the Air force in 1973.

Dr. Shull attended Michigan State University earning a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degree in the Natural Sciences. He taught for several years at Michigan State and then transferred to Lansing Community College where he served as chairman of the Science Department for 21 years. During this time he was instrumental in establishing the Science Department and saw it grow into a respected department at the college. As a student and researcher he earned high academic honors and recognition for pioneering in the development and use of audio visual teaching aids leading the way to the development of today’s computer training programs.

Dr. Shull also worked with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a conservation officer and he held memberships in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, and the Black River Conservation Association.

His passion for nature made him an excellent hunter, trapper and woodsman. And his knowledge of wildlife and natural resources made him a walking encyclopedia of information. As a member of the Black River Conservation Association he was an advocate for protecting nature in its natural state.

Throughout his life he possessed strong resilience and a unique ability to make practical decisions and solve problems. He kept himself busy by designing and building new projects. Some of these included road building through forested areas, swamps and wetlands, beaver trapping, building a cabin addition in the woods mostly using only the tools, material and equipment the original builders possessed, purchasing a plane and learning to fly as a young man, making detailed models, making and painting detailed miniature figures using lead molds, and building a kayak from the broken parts of a wooden canoe.

Most importantly he was a man of faith, loved his family and friends, and relished in how these ties enriched his life.

Visitors are invited to join the family at 1:00 pm on Friday June 18th for a Memorial Service at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, Michigan 48823.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the township cemetery in the community of Bliss Michigan.

Condolences may be sent to Beverly Shull, c/o Gorsline Runciman, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823