Our love & prayers are with Kathy & family.   We have known Dave all our lives and have never  known a nicer person!  He was a very special friend and will definitely be missed by everyone in the Mason community.

To Kathy, Chris, Diane, and Jeff,
Words just cannot express how much I adored your husband, and dad. Growing up I always felt like an extra kid in the Cornwell household.  Your dad was so funny and loving.... I loved his "one-eyed" trick, or talent?  So many wonderful memories of my childhood and many of them include the Cornwell Family! I remember the slumber parties and get togethers. I think one time Dave was Dracula for Halloween? 
I am truly saddened for all of you. My deepest condolences to all of the family. Love, Betsy

Dear Kathy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of David's passing.
I have very fond memories of David and you. I have many lovely pieces of furniture that you both refinished for me and Darrell. I will treasure them always. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Michael Sessions

To the Cornwell Family, I am so sorry for your loss,  Dave was such a terrific guy.  Lots of wonderful memories of him when he worked at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home and I worked at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing with my dad, Dick Miller.  Dave was a class act and was super with all his families.  He always had a smile on his face and will be deeply missed.

Lorri Miller

We are grieving the loss of you – the most amazing man. A devoted husband, a deeply loved and respected father, and an adored grandfather. Goodbye grandpa!! Until we meet again!!

Thank you dad for all that you have done for me and my kids, David and Danielle, and for leading me down the right path throughout my life, trusting God, giving me strength in troubled times.  I remember all the  great memories camping and fishing trips that you took us all on, including  Drummond and Bois Blanc Islands.
I will miss you so much, you were a great dad for me. 
         I will always love you in in my heart.  

Our prayers & thoughts are with you Kathy. Dave was a classmate & I remember his kindness & always a smile. God bless. Kathy & Dennis McKenzie.

Dave was such a funny and kind man.   He always had a smile and a funny story.  He will be missed.   I am so sad for your loss Kathy.   Hugs to you, Christine, Diane and Jeff.   Karyn  

We send thoughts and prayers to Kathy and the entire  family as they mourn Dave’s passing.  
He was a wonderful brother to me and  Ken and I we will miss him. We will miss our visits, camping trips, sitting on the screened in porch, and his “corny” jokes.  Such a legacy in Mason!  You will be missed. At death, God’s people don’t say “goodbye”  but we’ll see you later.”

As we read all of these wonderful memories it became clear what a talented and wonderful man our world has lost.  Dave refinished several pieces for us—our dining and kitchen sets and a beautiful old family desk that was not so beautiful until dave worked his magic!  He brought Kathy along on the trips to pick up our pieces and we saw what a wonderful match they were.  We feel lucky to have met him, heard his jokes, and learned some interesting things along the way.  Dave will be missed!

Dave had the most cheerful personality of anyone I’ve known   He restored my wife’s great grandmother’s dining room furniture, and in the process discovered that it had been purchased in Mason’s furniture store all those years ago! Table with three leaves, six chairs, china cabinet, and large buffet. He did great work, we still have it proudly displayed in our home in South Carolina, and it will stay in the family for many more generations. 

Dave was a good man, great singer, and a longtime good friend.

Memories from high school of David as he and my husband Lange were  classmates. Such a wonderful and talented  man.
To Kathy and family, I send my deep sympathy for your loss and may you know that your Faith, Family, and Friends will comfort you through this difficult time.

I was so sorry to learn of David's passing. I have only good memories of he and all the family when they were our next door neighbors on Hall Blvd. I would babysit for the children and my parents too always appreciated their friendliness. David finished many antique pieces of furniture for my mom, such beautiful work he did. Those days when I was in high school and Jeff was a baby, seem like yesterday, but I just realized they were over fifty years ago… Those were happy times. 

Dave was a good bowler used to bowl on Thursday nite with him. Funny guy. I also used to deliver his newspaper everyday. He will be missed. Rip  David

Dave was a friend for over 30 years, from Optimist Club, from bowling,  and just from Mason

Kathy,  thinking of  you and your family.   God Bless!

Dave and I were both members of the Class of 1958 at Mason High School, so my memories of Dave go back to the early 1950's.  He was always an active member of our class, and  very smart in school.  I believe that he was in the band as well.  After our school years, he has been such an active member of so much of Mason life.   I particularly remember his involvement with the "well-known" singing quartet that included Ron VanSteeland.  He contributed so much to musical life of our time. He was always very  friendly to others and willing to help out with anything.  I know that his family is grieving, but also know that they are so proud of all he accomplished in his life.   He will be so missed.  Sue Rabidoux

Dave was ahead of me in high school, but he did some furniture refinishing for me.  I still love those pieces.  Peaceful thoughts. Leanne Meyer

Kathy and family, please accept my condolences and prayers. This is a difficult time.  Pat

My deepest sympathies are with the Cornwell family.  He was such a kind and talented man.  As I sit here, I am looking at a set of dining room chairs he refinished so beautifully, as well as a Victorian doll bed that belonged to my grandma -- which was almost in pieces when I brought it to him.  

I remember going to the house on Oak St. to pick up the bed when it was finished, only to walk in to the parlor to see THREE doll beds in a line on the floor.  He said (with a wink), "If you can figure out which one is yours, you get to take it home -- otherwise, I get to keep it."  It took me a minute, but I figured it out, and when I took it back to my G'ma to show her, she turned it around and around, saying, "This is just exquisite."

In addition to his refinishing business, he touched so many lives through his work at the funeral home.  He was a classmate and friend of my dad -- I'm sure they have met up in Heaven already and are swapping stories.

I pray that your memories, faith, and the grace of God will help you through your grief.   Blessings to you all...

OBITUARY

David Edmund Cornwell

April 24, 1940 – March 25, 2020

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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