David Thomas Rose

David Thomas “Coach” Rose, 83, of Dowagiac, MI passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29, 2016 with family at his side at the Cass County Medical Facility in Cassopolis. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Silver Creek United Methodist Church, 31994 Middle Crossing Road, Dowagiac, with Pastor Sara Carlson officiating. An hour of visitation will be held before the service at the church. Burial to follow at 2:00 PM at Keeler Township Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Silver Creek United Methodist Church.  Those wishing to sign David’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com Dave was born May 5, 1933 to Fred and Edith (Siebenmark) Rose. He married the love of his life, Kathryn Gould, on June 1, 1958. Dave graduated from Hartford High School in 1951 and earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Education from Western Michigan University. Dave began his teaching and coaching career in Eau Claire, MI, in 1955. In 1960, he seized an opportunity for adventure taking a job with the U.S. Department of Defense at Air Force base high schools in Japan, Libya and Spain. After returning to the U.S. in 1967, Dave taught one year in Merrimac, MA before he and his family moved home to southwestern Michigan. He taught history and coached men’s and women’s basketball, football, baseball and softball at Brandywine High School in Niles until he retired in 1993. He and his wife then re-located to Dowagiac where he coached girls’ 8th grade basketball for several years. Dedicated to church leadership, Dave served as a lay leader, sang in the choir and taught adult Bible school at First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac for many years. For the past 12 years he was a member at Silver Creek United Methodist Church. Dave is survived by his wife; four children, Deanna (William) Richeson of Haslett, MI; Scott (Leslyn) Rose of Dowagiac; Steve (Ester) Rose of Plano, TX and Spencer (Paula) Rose of Niles; fifteen grand-children, Kate, Ben, Heather, Krystle, Bill Jr, Clay, Justin, Kristin, Noah, Ashleigh, Hunter, Allie, Jasmine, Arianna and Liam; six great grand-children; along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Donald and Jack. Dave’s family offers their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care provided to him by staff at Brentwood and Lakeland Hospital of Niles, and Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis.