David C. Schaberg
Lansing, MI
Our husband and father passed on to a greater life at age 68, in Lansing, MI, on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. He will be remembered for his work as Director of Music at Calvary United Methodist Church, Lansing, MI, as Choir Director at Grovenburg and Dimondale United Methodist Church, Dimondale, MI; part of maintenance and a driver for Hungry Howie’s, and his many years with the Chief Okemos Council, Boy Scouts of America and Troop 137; for his years with the American Red Cross Disaster Services. An accomplished public speaker, he was a Certified Lay Speaker in his church and since 1990 was Public Address Announcer at Lansing Everett High School (“The Voice of The Vikings”) where he graduated in 1968. He gave many hours of volunteer service to all Lansing Schools. He also was announcer for six years at Eastern Michigan University.
He was a radio broadcaster and engineer for more than 40 years, working at WFMK, WITL and WILS in Lansing, WKMF/WGMZ in Flint and many other stations throughout Michigan. He was the long-time producer of the Ron Mason and Rick Comley Hockey Coach’s radio programs. Through his broadcast consulting work, he assisted more than 100 radio station owners across the U.S. in achieving their goals of radio ownership and station improvements. He previously owned stations in Munising, Bear Lake and Beulah, Michigan.
He was a director and chief operating officer of the Society for Accurate Information and Distribution Foundation in East Lansing and worked with Scott Boehme of East Lansing on many projects to enhance the quality of life for anyone seeking unbiased information.
He was a licensed builder for more than 30 years, helping people to improve their homes and offices. He wishes to be remembered for all the kindnesses and donations he made without ever receiving compensation. He felt his life was fulfilling if he helped someone in some way each and every day.
He is survived by Shari Lynn Schaberg, his life-long love and partner, their three sons, Scott Edward, David Jeffery and Eric Michael, along with Scott’s wife, Brenda and their children, David Allen and Nicholas, David Jeffery’s wife, Sara and their children, Andrew, Murphy, James, Thomas, and Hannah, Eric’s wife Alexis and their children, Cortana and Zek. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick E. and Dorothy V. (Norris) Schaberg, and stepfather Donald E. Waldren.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2018, at Holt United Methodist Church with Reverend Joe Huston officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family towards funeral expenses. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
12 Messages to “David C. Schaberg”
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Beckie Grunewald
August 22, 2018 at 6:32 pmScott and family, we are thinking of you today and sending up prayers for comfort and healing. “I know that my Redeemer lives!” gives us the sweet hope and confidence of a blessed reunion in heaven. Love you.
Robert wright
August 22, 2018 at 9:28 pmHe was a great man gd person had a gd sence of humor and i was honored to have gotten to meet him and actully hangout with him hes a great person and was family to me he will be greatly and dearly missed.
Jay DuBois
August 23, 2018 at 12:06 amScott and family our hearts mourn as pay tribute to your dad, all of you are in our thoughts and prayers and remember he is in a better place now and like Becky said ” I know that my Redeemer lives!” gives us that security that we all need. One day you will have that blessed reunion with him up in heaven. Take care my Friend and God Bless your entire family.
Stephanie (Boggs) Robinson
August 23, 2018 at 7:45 amShari, so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. We know the feeling of peace that they are with God, and the feeling of loss, that they are not here with us.
Stephanie and Harle Robinson
John Zielinski
August 23, 2018 at 11:41 amTribute To David C. Schaberg, Everett ’68.
Hello Everett:
Around year 2000, Dave became my Everett partner for my Everett programs. We were good friends. Since that time, Dave was directly involved in 90% of my Everett activities outside of my classroom. Dale Glynn was cultivating my work for Everett when he hooked the two of us up at that point in our Everett experiences.
Dave was much more than my assistant chairman. He actively engaged himself in all aspects of our programs (Memorial Day, Veterans Day and 9/11 Remembrances). In the roughly 50 individual school-wide ceremonies we produced, we educated a generation of Everett students about tradition, honor, sacrifice and patriotism.
Dave never received any form of compensation for his long hours of work in my programs.
My proof is the video collection of our programs which is on file with the District Channel. Dave was the stage director for most of them; he appears in these videos far more than myself.
Our programs were always germane to our community, with a focus on South Lansing. Everett students were integral to everything we did. They participated, performed, spoke and most important attended our ceremonies by the hundreds. Our community speakers were always important people from our local Lansing region. Many of whom, like Dave and Shirley Rodgers, are no longer with us but in spirit.
Once we get established into our school year, I will file a FOIA request through the District regarding myself. I would like all of our ceremonies which were recorded by the District Media staff to be easily accessible by date on our District website. This would be a tangible, visual part of Dave’s legacy; and a small glimpse about how important Dave was to Everett High School, and me.
Dave was inducted into the Everett High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009 at one of our 9/11 ceremonies at Archie Ross Stadium.
This was in recognition of his entire body of selfless devotion to Everett, the Lansing School District and our community. My Everett programs were but one part of his Everett programs. Dave was often seen in the Everett hallways with his tool belt and work clothes. On a few occasions, he fixed my work computer so I could carry on with my Everett duties as a history teacher. He would fit us in around his own busy business schedule and work days.
His dedicated service to the Everett Athletic Department is legendary. His Everett key ring had dozens of Everett keys attached to it. My Everett key ring has three keys to it. I hope we can figure out where all those keys fit, or that someone else has copies of at least a few of them.
He was a communications and electronics expert by trade. He was a graduate of the school of Hard Knocks. He worked for our school district to repair and replace the sound systems within many of our school buildings. For instance, he fixed the audio capability for both the Don Johnson and the Ed Macjewski stadiums.
Although Dave spent large amounts of volunteer time for all other people, his family were always the most important people to him. His wife Shari, and his three sons Scott, David and Eric are all Everett alumni. Dave was a lifelong resident of South Lansing, and Everett High School was always central to his identity.
Rest in peace my friend. See you on the other side, someday.
John Christopher Zielinski
Everett Teacher
Susan (Mann) & Gary Fulgham
August 23, 2018 at 5:46 pmSo sorry to hear about this. Prayers for Shari and the rest of the family. This is a sad time for everyone. It’s hardest on those left behind. Praying that you find comfort in knowing that he is with our lord and savior. And in time you will be reunited.
John D.Burtch
August 23, 2018 at 8:44 pmI was fortunate enough to have Dave share 15 minutes of his time with me at the recent “68” Class Reunion. I asked him what he had been up to over the last 50 years. What he shared with me did not surprise me at all. He became a dedicated leader back at Walter French Jr High and that never changed. The Class of “68” might have accomplished alot…. but Dave stands among the best.
Jim de Vries
August 24, 2018 at 3:59 pmDear David, I consider myself wonderfully fortunate from our encounters yesterday on Hillcrest. Apart from those encounters I probably never would have learned how our community has benefitted from your dad’s life. My deepest sympathy to you, your wife, and five children. Was that house on Hillcrest where you grew up?
John Gingas
August 25, 2018 at 9:24 amMy sincerest condolences! The brotherhood of RADIO lost a dedicated wonderful man! My experiences and moments with Dave happened predominantly in my younger days…sharing professional and personal times while we were both working for WILS…since the station was right next door to his beloved EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL…it makes special sense to me now.
I always admired Dave’s brilliant he was smart and articulate…he could fix a radio transmitter or host an engaging radio show. But Dave’s pride and love was TOTALLY his wife Shari!
Dave was a good friend to so many people. I will always be grateful to Dave for calling me over to this house right after I was returning from a two week Honeymoon. There was SOMETHING he needed TO TALK to me about. I tried to postpone the meeting because I was coming into Lansing after a West Coast flight. Dave was insistent…”John we need to talk BEFORE you go into the station….”. It was obvious Dave was not going to relent on his meeting request. So I stumbled over to meet with Dave and Shari. Keep in mind I am a 24 year old, hot-head, hot-shot…Dave started the conversation with “John, tomorrow when you go into the station, the program director is going to change your show time from afternoon drive 3PM to 7PM to……the night slot 7PM to Midnight.” I can not repeat the next words I said….and after I blew-up…I realized he just SAVED my job. Had DAVE not warned me…I would have either QUIT on the spot or said those same words that would have got me FIRED. Dave of course, knew that….and cared enough to be the buffer. I haven’t had many moments in my life when one act was so important to me.
I am sure that many of you have other tales and stories of Dave’s generosity and goodness.
So Dave, ask GOD to give you a Drive Time Gig…that teaches grace and humility! You were very good at it.
Love,
John Gingas
Chuck Krafft
August 25, 2018 at 11:44 amI write a high school sports blog called “The Bleacher Denizen.” Dave was always really warm and professional whenever I wrote up an Everett basketball game. I will truly miss him.
Susan Ostrander
August 26, 2018 at 1:37 pmMy daughter, Rhenda Rogers informed me of Dave’s passing.
We are sending our condolences to Sheri and thier three children, thiers wives, and families. May God be with you through these difficult times.
Sandy Winchell
August 27, 2018 at 5:07 pmIt’s been my pleasure to know Dave through Dimondale United Methodist Church. He gave us a gift each Sunday with his beautiful music. His sudden death is so very sad for all those who love him. What was always apparent was how much Dave cared for Shari. Their love for each other was evident as they faced challenges together. May God comfort his family in the days and months ahead. We were all blessed to know Dave and his absence will be felt for a very long time. The service today was a beautiful tribute.