David Harold Movalson, age 91, of Brevort, Michigan, died peacefully after a three month stay at Evergreen Living Center in St. Ignace, Michigan, on October 2, 2024. He was born on March 19, 1933, to Ellis and Ruby (Lawson) Movalson, and he was one of six children.
David lived in Brevort his entire life, except for a two-year hitch in the United States Army from 1953-1955. While stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, with the 196th Regiment Combat Team, he earned the Certificate of Achievement Membership into the "50 below club" having survived -50 degrees on Operation North Star. On December 1, 1956, he married the love of his life, Lois Heenan, and they were blessed with three children.
David was affectionately known as "the Mayor of Brevort", always the go-to guy for any request or need. His garage was fashioned like a hardware/plumbing store with any replacement part you needed for your maintenance projects. He was a successful entrepreneur and had a side hustle as a
boy selling partridge to hunters from downstate so they could party and still go home with some wild game. He owned many businesses in Brevort, beginning with his gas station, tire repair, and wrecker business. He sold that to Tom Gustafson in 1978. He next owned and operated Chapel Hill Motel, then on to Gustafson's Resort. Wrapping that up, he operated a bed and breakfast business out of his ancestral home. Lastly, he built self-storage units and finally retired in 2013. Not only did he and his wife, Lois, successfully run their own businesses, but David was a school bus driver for Moran Township for 32 years. He loved his Gros Cap Kids!
David is survived by his loving wife, Lois; children, David Movalson Jr. of Mackinaw City, Michigan, Tracy Movalson of Brevort and Eric Movalson of Byron, Michigan; sister, Marilyn (Roy) DuMond of Traverse City, Michigan, and Charles (Elaine) Movalson of Perry, Michigan; two grandchildren, Amanda Movalson of East Lansing, Michigan, and Zachary Movalson of St. Petersburg, Florida; and his brother-in-law, Dallas Heenan of the Chicago, Illinois, area.
David was preceded in death by his sisters, Virginia (Gin) York, Rose Ellen (Bo) Weiss; and brother, Ellis (Sharkey) Movalson.
David's funeral was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brevort on October 7, 2024. He was a lifelong member of his beloved church.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in David's memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, W4528 Fisherman’s Dr Moran, MI 49760.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
