David E. Kelling, age 72, of Batavia, passed away on February 21, 2023, at Cedar Lake Health and
Rehabilitation Center in West Bend.
He was born on November 19, 1950, to the late Vernon and Iris (Mayer) Kelling. He graduated from
Random Lake High School in 1969. David married Kaye Gesch at St. John’s United Church of Christ in
Sheboygan on February 6, 1971. Kaye preceded him in death on January 26, 2010.
David was a lifelong mechanic who could fix just about anything from cars to tractors. He worked for
Krier Implement and Belgium Service Center. He then owned his own business, Kelling’s Repair Shop, in
Silver Creek, providing farm equipment repair for many years. To end his career he retired in 2014 after
working as a mechanic for the Sheboygan County Highway Dept. for 22 years.
He enjoyed spending time repairing and restoring antique tractors, going to tractor shows, and tractor
pulls. He and a group of friends took some of the restored tractors across Lake Michigan to Ludington,
MI on the SS Badger Car Ferry for a special tractor show.
David was a proud member of the Silver Creek Fire Dept. for over 36 years, serving as Engineer for many
years. He loved spending time with friends and having a good time. His pride and joy were his
granddaughters whom he spoke about often. He was so proud of them and all they have accomplished
so far in life.
He is survived by his son, Joel (Lisa) and their daughters Lindsey (fiancé: Justin) and Kayla. He is further
survived by siblings: Mary Ellen Luedtke of Fredonia, Roger (Colleen) Kelling of Cedar Grove, Dale (Mary
Ann) Kelling of Manitowoc, Keith (Carol) Kelling of Random Lake, Steve Kelling of Adell, and Lisa (Dan)
Roerdink; sister-in-law, Susan (Maurice) Price of North Stonington, CT; many nieces, nephews, and a
large amount of friends.
David was preceded in death by: his wife, Kaye; son, Neal; his parents; brother, Jon Kelling; parents-in-
law, Martin Jr. and Kathleen Gesch; and brother-in-law, Martin Gesch III.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday (February 26, 2023) at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-3:00pm with a service to follow at 3:00pm. Pastor Bridget Hill of New
Horizon UCC in Boltonville will officiate. Cremation will follow the service with inurnment at St. Paul’s
UCC Cemetery, Silver Creek, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in David’s name.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Cedar Community for their care and support to David and his
family, along with the medical staff at Froedtert Hospital. A special thank you to all David’s family and
friends for their concern and support this last year.
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