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April 3, 1950-Nov. 16, 2023

David Wayne Freeman Burden, 73, of Niles, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Thursday morning, Nov. 16, 2023, at Corewell Health Niles Hospital in Niles, Michigan.
Dave was born on April 3, 1950, in Shelbyville, IN and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. He graduated from John I. Leonard High School in 1968. His son Jeffrey was born shortly after graduating. Dave then moved to Michigan and worked at Hale’s Hardware in Dowagiac where he met his future wife, Lisa. Immediately, Dave embraced and loved all 3 of his new children: Amber, Gary, and Danielle. He went on to have 3 additional children with Lisa: Victoria, Jacob, and Matthew.
He was employed by Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac for about 15 years and retired from the Timbers of Dowagiac where he worked maintenance and brought love and laughs to everyone he encountered. Dave was always involved and volunteering his time within his community. Two specific clubs that he gave his time to were the JAYCEEs, and the Lion’s Club of Dowagiac. Dave had many hobbies, all of which he enjoyed with his children. He loved fishing, camping, cooking/baking, and watching his Chicago Cubs baseball, and Michigan Football. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
Surviving are six children — Amber Tucker, Gary Sarabyn, Danielle Sarabyn, Victoria Long, Jacob Burden and Matthew Burden; 11 grandchildren — Bryce, Bryant, Alexis, Noah, Henry, Conner, Mariah, Theron, Jayden, Shania, and Jeffrey; sister, Sandie (Tom) Davis; and former spouse — Lisa Huhtala.
Preceding him in death were his father and step-mother — Herbert and Jacqueline (Hale) Buden; mother — Maxine (Smith) Burden; and son — Jeffrey Burden.
A service to celebrate Dave’s life will be held at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at
Clark Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 405 Center St, Dowagiac. Friends may visit the family from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Dave’s memory may be directed to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory of Dave online may do so at www.clarkch.com