David "Dave" Ray Kintzele

David "Dave" Ray Kintzele, 69, of Walkerton, IN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on June 24, 1955, in Michigan City, IN, Dave was the son of Aloysius and Virginia (Hansen) Kintzele. He was later raised and lovingly guided by his stepfather, Henry "Bud" Kintzele.

On February 13, 1988, in Memphis, TN, Dave married the love of his life, Joan Von Bergen. Together, they built a life marked by love, laughter, and shared adventure. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Joan; daughter, Kristin Merrill of South Bend; and his treasured grandchildren, Kaylee and John Gleva III of North Liberty. Dave is also survived by his sister, Liz Johnson of Michigan City; niece, Allison Rae Kintzele of Trail Creek; nephews, Christopher Musial of Weaverville, NC, and Philip Musial of Denver, CO; cousins, Becky, Mike, and Ray; and his faithful fur baby, Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.

Dave proudly served his country in the United States Navy as an ADJAN aboard the USS Independence. He began his service at Great Lakes Naval Base in 1975 and was honorably discharged in 1976, receiving the National Defense Service Medal. His commitment to service continued through several years in the Naval Reserves.

A man of the skies, Dave had an unshakable passion for aviation. Over the course of his career, he held several roles that reflected this love-from Safety Manager for FedEx to Feeder Aircraft Operator in Memphis, and as a respected Flight Instructor with Stockert Aviation. His involvement with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) spanned more than 50 years. Dave was also a proud member of the Memphis BMW Motorcycle Group, embracing life with a spirit of adventure and exploration.

Above all, Dave loved to travel, camp, and share meaningful time with his family and friends. His warm smile, boundless curiosity, and devotion to those he loved left a lasting mark on all who knew him.

Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Family and friends may gather for visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., until the time of service.

In honor of Dave's love for flight and his heart for animal rescue, memorial donations may be made to the EAA Young Eagles Program, c/o EAA Aviation Center, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902, or to Second Chance Rescue, c/o Mary Krause, 821 East Lusher Ave., Elkhart, IN 46517 (please make checks payable to Second Chance Rescue).

To share a message of condolence, visit www.cutlercares.com.

"The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul." - Walter Raleigh