David Louis Mathia was born on July 29, 1955 in St. Ignace, Michigan. He passed away on May 3, 2022 at Munson Medical Center, after long, courageous battles with many health issues.
Although serving others through business and charitable endeavors was important to Dave, family was his highest priority. He learned this value from his parents, Elmer and Barbara Mathia, who adopted Dave when he was an infant. Soon after his adoption, Elmer and Barbara were surprised to learn that Barbara was pregnant. Within eight years, Dave had three siblings. As a four-year-old, Dave's parents explained to him that being adopted meant he had been chosen to be part of their family. Dave felt fortunate to be adopted into a family where love was abundant, and each member of the family was treasured and cherished.
Dave grew-up in Dearborn and Livonia where he and his siblings developed the deep bonds of love and respect that continue to this day. In his youth and early adult years, Dave was a gifted runner, earning a track scholarship for college at CMU. Sadly, he was unable to continue running competitively when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 21, but as an adult he continued running for pleasure and exercise.
In 1974 Dave married his first wife, Kathy. They lived in Mount Pleasant, where their two children, Monica and Kimberly, were born. Baby Monica died soon after birth, Dave's wife Kathy passed away from cancer nine months after the birth of their second daughter, Kimberly. In 1980 Dave embraced a second chance at love and married Faye. Dave and Faye were an impressive team whose love for each other was inspiring. They were dedicated parents to Kimberly and moved from Mount Pleasant to the Detroit area to be able to give Kimberly the best care and education possible at Penrickton Center for Blind Children. Kimberly's death in 1988 was a devastating loss.
After Kimberly's death, Dave and Faye yearned to return to Northern Michigan, where he spent his childhood summers on Lee Point in Suttons bay, and where Faye's family also had roots. They moved north in 1989 and the following year they started Distribution Solutions International (DSI).
While in Traverse City, Dave and Faye gave generously of their time, talents, and treasure in ongoing efforts to empower and help people achieve their potential and reach their goals. Dave was humble and kind, preferring to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of those he mentored instead of basking in the public accolades directed towards him as a successful businessperson and philanthropist. Dave was ever considerate of others, listening carefully to their perspectives and willingly accommodating differences of opinion and approach. Because of Dave's humility, generosity, and expertise, countless lives were transformed for the better. He had a keen eye for recognizing talent and potential in others. He dedicated his career to creating successful businesses in which people were given opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. In 2005, Dave and Faye sold DSI due to Dave's growing health concerns and his wanting to pursue other interests. Dave is fondly remembered as a mentor and friend by employees and associates of the business ventures in which he was instrumental including DSI, ProFILE, Aurora Cellars, and CenterPointe.
Dave's commitment to a life of faithful service to others began as a child growing up in the Hungarian Reformed Church. His contributions to the life and ministries of Suttons Bay Congregational Church, where he was a member for over three decades, are immeasurable. As an adult Dave served on numerous charitable boards and committees; he was especially passionate about helping to save and renovate the City Opera House in Traverse City. Dave started the first NW Michigan JDRF annual walk to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes research, with many of his employees at DSI contributing their time to this charity.
He also pursued other interests ¬by creating works of stained glass, following the stories of inspirational athletes, and rooting for his beloved Lady Vols – the Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball team. Dave appreciated being able to call the team's winningest coach, Pat Summit, a mentor and friend.
Dave's diabetes eventually resulted in the loss of his kidney function. However, in 1999 he was blessed with receiving a pancreas and kidney transplant, which allowed him to continue to live a fulfilling life. Upon his return back to work after the transplant surgery, all of the DSI employees signed up to be organ donors, which touched Dave deeply.
After taking a DNA test later in life, Dave energetically connected with members of his biological family. Dave was someone for whom family was his priority, and learning about his birth family was an immense gift for which he was very grateful. He and Faye have stayed in close contact with 3 of his newfound sisters.
Dave will be remembered for his generosity, faith in God and faith in people, courage in the face of adversity, and his hearty, infectious laugh. His enthusiasm, creativity, and loving kindness made the world a better place.
Dave is survived by Faye, his wife of 42 years, siblings Joseph (Cathy) Mathia, Lynn Mathia, Leigh (Doug) Brownley, his in-laws Wendell and Barb Lawrence, Doug and Lori Tull, Maureen Clement, Tim Clement and over 35 nieces and nephews and their spouses, all whom he loved very much. Also surviving are his newly found relatives Debbie (Dan) Soper, Larry (Sandy) Archambeau, Bob (Helen) Ackerman, as well as 5 other siblings and their children. He also leaves behind so many dear cousins and friends (too many list here) including Bill (who was Frick to Dave's Frack) and Bernice Widrig, Robin and Mike Eller, Pamela Niebrzydowski, Veronica and John Moyer, Pete and Debi Piette-Lortz, Deanna and Fred Bateson, John and Marsha Dew, Jon and Debbie Creal, Jackie Gazoul and the Pepellashi family (of Silver Swan fame). He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Barbara Mathia, first wife Kathryn (Curtis) Mathia, daughters Monica Anne and Kimberly Nicole Mathia, sister Laura Rainey, and his birth parents.
Faye would like to thank everyone who has supported Dave and her over the years including their family and friends, their church family, their Pastor Robin Carden, former Pastor Jim Beadle, the Cowell Family Cancer Center and Munson Medical Center nurses, staff and doctors who took good care of him.
A service of thanksgiving for Dave's life will be held at 1:30 on July 6th at Aurora Cellars Winery in Lake Leelanau, Michigan with the Rev. Dr. Robin Carden presiding. There will also be a public visitation on July 5th from 4-7 pm at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution in Dave's name to: Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor, Michigan, Suttons Bay Congregational Church in Suttons Bay, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to the charity of your choice. We also encourage anyone able to donate blood and become an organ donor — Dave's life was saved with his kidney and pancreas transplant, and blood transfusions extended his life on many occasions. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.