Mr. David Michael Whelchel

David Michael Whelchel “Mike” passed away Friday, September 30, 2022 at 10:00 am. He was born in Sanford, FL August 16, 1934, son of the late Hugh and Mary Whelchel. He is also preceded in death by two brothers, Hugh Whelchel and Howard Whelchel, and one sister Mary Ann Smith. Mike is survived by his wife of 53 years Carol Long Whelchel, brother John Whelchel of Boca Raton, FL, two sons Michael Whelchel (Judith) of Asheville, NC, John Mears (Susan) of Sorrento, FL, and four daughters Debbie Whelchel Yero (Efren) of Lake Mary, FL, Linda Whelchel Welker (Jeff) of Lake Mary, FL, Cindy Whelchel McDaniel (Peter) of Longwood, FL and Julie Davis of Monroe, NC. Mike is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Mike touched so many lives in his 88 years. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, influencer, soldier, disciple of Christ, friend and so much more to so many people. He was a proud resident of Sanford for almost 40 years, growing up near downtown on Magnolia Avenue. He played football for Sanford High School, in the US Army and later at Florida State University for his beloved FSU team. Mike was an avid golfer who was talented enough to have had a brief stent on the PGA tour and also owned Mayfair Country Club in Sanford for a number of years. He was also quite an entrepreneur, owning over 35 businesses during his life. Mike’s greatest passions were his family, golf, the FSU Seminoles and Jesus. He loved Jesus with his whole heart and showed it by serving others in many ways -youth group leader, volunteer hospital chaplain, prison minister, and was always very active in his church and Sunday school.

We are so blessed and honored to have had him on this earth for as long as we did. We can all be grateful in knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior. Thank you to all those that have extended their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. A celebration of life will be held for Mike on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 am at Central United Methodist Church in Monroe, NC. Locally we will have an Open House Remembrance on November 13, 2022 between 1:00- 3:00 pm at the Yero’s home, 3431 Dawn Ct, Lake Mary, FL.We would love you to join with us in remembering this very special man.