Dave was born March 16, 1974 to Robert Lee and Sheila Elaine Stiles of Taylor, MI. He grew up attending Dunning Park Bible Chapel and went to school at Inter-City Baptist and Fairlane Christian Schools. He held a winning record as a high school wrestler and was the president of his graduating class. He began going to Bair Lake Bible Camp as a juniors camper and continued on to serve there as a teenager and as a college student. It was at Bair Lake that he met Sarah Meinzinger, and they began courting after he graduated High School. Dave and Sarah were married in 1996.
Dave attended Michigan State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass with a specialization in Golf Course Management. This led to a 15-year career in the golf industry working at several courses throughout Michigan as well as in Bergen, Norway, where he and Sarah lived for over a year. Dave and Sarah then settled in Redford, MI while raising their young family. They attended Dunning Park Bible Chapel, where they served as Youth Leaders for several years, during which time Dave also began teaching and preaching from the Word of God. In 2011 he made a significant career change by joining the staff at Bair Lake Bible Camp. Dave and Sarah were commended from Dunning Park Bible Chapel as missionaries in Christian Camping Ministry. While living at Bair Lake, the family attended Grace Bible Chapel in Cassopolis, MI. Dave had a tremendous heart for the work at Bair Lake Bible Camp and, having made significant spiritual decisions there himself, knew the impactful role camp can play in a young person's life. Dave served in what was surely his dream job as Director of Operations.
A natural teacher, Dave enjoyed passing on any knowledge, skills and insight he possessed in any area of life. He was a lifelong learner who enjoyed studying God's Word and then sharing it with others in his easy, conversational manner of teaching. He was continually mentoring, helping, instructing, and encouraging those in his life. Dave had many hobbies including motorcycles, shortwave/HAM radio, reading (especially theology, Christian living and history), hunting and cooking wild game. He was a DIY-er at heart and enjoyed home and auto work, making biodiesel fuel, emergency preparedness and being a CERT responder.
Dave was a godly man, a faithful husband and father, a loyal son and brother. He was strong, yet patient and kind, and the best of listeners. He was famous for his bear hugs and his unforgettable laugh. He had many deep friendships that never seemed to be in competition with one another; He was very present with who he was with at the time. He was always very willing to help others. Dave and Sarah sought to live life in a manner that honored God by living out the verse in Joshua 24:15b, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." To honor God in what he said and did was his foremost desire and he loved his neighbors well.
In addition to his parents, Robert Lee and Sheila Elaine, Dave is survived by his brother Brett (wife Rachael and daughters Arwen and Eden), his wife Sarah and their children, who he loved deeply: Benjamin(Ben), Arnstein(Arn), Silja, Violet and Asbjorn(Ozzie).
A Memorial Service is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 12th Street Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Please help us in planning by using the link under "DONATIONS" to RSVP by Sunday, December 23rd if you plan to join us for this Service.
A Memorial Gathering will also be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 4th, 2019 at Dunning Park Bible Chapel in Redford, MI. No RSVP is needed for this gathering.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to "Sarah Stiles" and mailed to Bair Lake Bible Camp.
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