David W. Lackey

David Wayne “Dave” Lackey, age 71, was born on December 15, 1952, in Muskegon, Michigan to the late Ruby Major. In 1974 he married his first wife Shelley and had his two kids Nichelle and Michael. Years after his divorce in 2007 he married the love of his life, Sharon. Together they loved traveling up north enjoying nature, trying their luck at various casinos and they also played pool having won dozens of trophies. Sharon tragically passed too early (2016). It is a bittersweet comfort to know after 8 years Dave has finally been reunited with his love and their two amazing dogs. He enjoyed spending his time at the races; watching the Lions; canning tomatoes, grilling, building a backyard ice rink for his grandson; frying up perch dinner; exploring the UP; camping; watching TV and movies; and many more activities, too many to list.

 Spending all his life in the Muskegon area, he worked at both Michigan Plastics and ADAC Plastics and moved to Wisconsin four years after Sharon’s passing. Despite moving, he still traveled back to Michigan every fall to deer hunt with his cousins, Mark and Doug, in the woods they hunted together for most of their lives. It was in those same woods, before sunrise on opening day of rifle season, November 15, 2024, that Dave hiked out for his final hunt. He was found later that morning, sitting in his blind having passed peacefully. He died doing what he loved, hunting in the tranquility and beauty of the woods. Dave / Loving Dad / Dear Brother & Cousin / and Great Friend, you will be deeply missed. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Nichelle (Andy) Veldkamp, Michael (Jamiil) Lackey; stepdaughter Kara (Mike) Smith; step daughter-in-law Mary Cutler; a brother Dan; three sisters: Denise (Mike), Deb (Terri), and Pam (Brian); his grandchildren Isaac, Aaron, James, Jeffery, Joshua, Courtney, Mika, Matthew; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins including Mark (Carol), Doug (Julie) Moyer; and many great life-long friends. In addition to his dear mother, Ruby, he was preceded in death by a stepson, Jeff, and his sister, Charlotte

Please join us as we celebrate Dave’s life on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Whitlow’s Hall, 4610 Airline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444 (If you can, wear something blue). Additional inquiries may be made to Verdun Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services who assisted the family with the arrangements by calling (616) 794-1300.