David Ira "Dave" MacLaren

     David Ira "Dave" MacLaren, age 48, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at his home due to natural causes.

     A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, St. Louis, MI, on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI at a later date.

     David was born in Alma, Michigan, on August 18, 1974, the son of Melvin Ira "Butch" and Wanda (Simpson) MacLaren.  He graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1993.  David married Amber Blackwell on May 21, 2005, at a family friend’s house on the river in Mt. Pleasant, MI.

     Dave worked as a security guard with Soaring Eagle Casino for 26 years. He was a musician, he loved to play guitar and sing. Dave played with Fifth Evolution and MacLaren Brennan locally and he also enjoyed singing at his church.  He enjoyed flower gardening at his home, watching movies with his family and he loved his red charger.  Dave and Amber spent the last year taking many trips together and making new memories.

     Dave enjoyed genealogy and connecting with others of Scottish heritage. He deeply cared for others, was always ready to help where it was needed and he thought it was important to show kindness to the world. He was baptized and a member of St. Louis First United Methodist Church. Dave was a man of faith who prayed and read his devotions daily.

     Dave was very family oriented and everything he did was for his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family, especially his three princesses who called him "papa". 

     He is survived by his wife Amber MacLaren of Ithaca, MI; children:  Kaylee Blackwell and Rob Roman of Ithaca, MI; Seairra and Austyn Rhines of St. Louis, MI; Jeffrey Blackwell of Alma, MI; mother Wanda MacLaren and Stu Shook of Elwell, MI; sister Sondra and Jeff Gurski of Mt. Pleasant, MI.  He is also survived by his granddaughters: Korralee, Kyla, and Amora; niece Dominique and Devin Martyn of Elwell, MI; nephew Damian Gurski of Mt. Pleasant, MI; great-nieces and nephew: Rory, Veda, and Jacob; and his dog Bella.  He was preceded in death by his father Melvin MacLaren and his grandmother Bobbie Buckner.

      Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family or St. Louis First United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.