David F. Singell

David F. Singell, Sr., 80, of Benton Harbor, formerly of Elkhart, passed away into the arms of his loving Savior on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday at The Church in Benton Harbor, 224 Pipestone, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Albert Adams officiating. Memorial donations may be made to The Church in Benton Harbor or Gospel of the Kingdom Campground in Shepherdsville, KY.  Those wishing to sign David’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   David was born January 4, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph & Frances (Emerick) Singell. He graduated from East High School, Cleveland, Ohio in 1954, attended Malone College for two years before transferring and earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 1959 and his Bachelor’s in Education in 1961 from Bethel College and his Master’s Degree from Indiana University.  David began his career with Edwardsburg Schools as a teacher and coach for seven years until 1968 when he moved to Africa and taught at Hillcrest High School in Jos, Nigeria along with mission work until 1971.  In 1976, he hired as a sixth grade teacher at Concord South Side and later transferred to Concord Junior High to teach math.  Dave was later hired as head softball coach at Concord High School and in 1985 was named the Indiana State Softball coach of the Year by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association.  Under his direction, Concord softball became a power in Northern Indiana, winning 20 plus games twice in a three-year span and 16 or more games six times.  He retired from coaching at the end of the 1990 season and from teaching in 1991.  During his time at Concord, Dave also worked as the Yard Master for Conrail in Elkhart, retiring from there in 1999.  He was inducted into the Concord Athletic Hall of Fame in the spring of 2014.  On March 3, 1973, he married the former JoAnn White in Dowagiac, Michigan. David & JoAnn served as foster parents for 20 years in Elkhart County and served as missionaries to Haiti.  He was a Pastor of The Church in Benton Harbor, and dedicated his life to God and serving others.  Dave was an avid sports enthusiast-following the Cleveland Browns & Indians.  He cherished the time spent with his family.  He is survived by his children- David (Valerie) Singell, Jr. of Elkhart, Janet (Linda Hodges) Wright of Tavares, FL, Dyanna (Guy) Price of Dowagiac, Dawn Smith of Riverview, FL, Denise Gingerich of Benton Harbor, Daniele Paston  (Edward Golebiewski) of Elkhart, Deborah Singell, Tamara Singell & Sean (Tina) Singell, all of Elkhart; 23 grandchildren-David Daily, Dustin Daily, Tarah Marvin, Derick Lehman, Anthony Marvin, Christopher Wright, Drew Raholin, Devin Martinez, Dorion Martinez, Kalie Beer, Joseph Smith, JoAnna Price, Alexandria Poe, Chloe Paston, Reyna-Rose Gingerich, Bryston Singell, Darren & Donavon Gingerich,  Nathaniel Singell, Maxie & Kirstie Williams, Jason Miller & Kris Camp; 28 great-grandchildren; four sisters-Retha Blocher, Violet Hnanicek, Roma Bulone, & Carol Miller; two brothers-Larry (Barbara) Singell & Daniel (Sally) Singell; and numerous nieces & nephews.  David was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn on January 8, 2008, a grandson-Matthew D. Wright, and two brothers-Timothy & Joel Singell.  In accordance to his wishes, the body will be cremated and interred at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Goshen, Indiana.