David was born October 28, 1927 in Woodstock, Illinois the son of George and Wilhelmina (Kirmse) Wilburn. On June 12, 1949 in Lansing he married Joyce E. (Cross) Wilburn who preceded him in death on April 9, 2008.

David and his beloved Joyce met at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Afterwards they raised their family in Troy, Michigan. Together they retired to Suttons Bay and spent 39 years here.

David earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics and spent a career working for the U.S. Army. In addition to his acumen in physics he was a renaissance man. David loved his dogs and kept the collars from past pooches he had raised. He had many hobbies including: hunting, fishing, tending honey bees, tapping the Maple trees and making Maple syrup, and stained glass windows. He built a small log cabin from the cedar trees on his property for his two grand daughters to play in.

For many years in his Suttons Bay retirement, David took care of the white crosses in Suttons Bay Township Cemetery. He would replace the worn-out crosses and purchase, make, paint and install new ones. David was very generous and active in his church.

David is survived by his two children, Mark (Pam) Wilburn, Wendy (Robert) Brown; two grandchildren, Tracy (Nate) Boynton, Kara (Daniel) Hile; and four great grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrew and Benjamin Boynton and Elliot Hile.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce.

Graveside services and burial in Suttons Bay Township Cemetery will be announced in the spring.

Memorials may be directed to: The Samaritan’s Closet, PO Box 196, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653 and/or The Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse, City, MI 49696 Please share memories and condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.