David G. Worton

David G. “Grandpa” Worton 103, a longtime resident of Yale, died Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at MediLodge of Yale. He was born April 17, 1910 in Detroit the son of the late James B. and Bertha (Karr) Worton. His marriage of 69 years to Barbara Leideker was May 25, 1929 in Detroit. Barbara died June 14, 1998. At age 18, David was employed by LaSalle Division of Cadillac Motor Company in road testing. He worked for Michigan Malleable Iron Company in personnel from 1928-1940, Whittier Hotel security in 1941, Fisher Body Division of General Motors Corporation as supervisor of plant police from 1941-1944 and was Sgt. of the U.S. Government Military Auxiliary Police. He had moved to Goodells and purchased the general store there in 1945 and then moved to Yale and purchased the I.G.A. Market and Worton’s Grill. In 1950, he purchased the community market in Sandusky and built the I.G.A. Foodliner in 1954. David started the Yale Distributing Company in 1950, owned, and operated it until 1972. He was a former Yale School District board member from 1955 to 1956 and Former mayor of Yale from 1966 to 1978 and again in 1983 to 1984. David became chief of police in Yale from 1966 to 1978 and was state certified. He was a former member of the Commission on Aging, and held several life memberships including Elks Lodge #343, Port Huron, Blue Water Sportsman’s Club, N.R.A., Dude Rancher’s Association of Wyoming, and Black River Country Club. He was a charter member the Black River Boat Club, Yale Lion’s Club and former member of the Canada Creek Ranch of Atlanta, MI, Michigan Association of Chief’s of Police, National Sheriff’s Association and past president of the Sarnia Toastmasters International. David had been a part of a dance band, had worked at clubs in Detroit and Jackson and several halls in the thumb area, and had played the drums and accordion. Surviving are a son, David, three daughters and two sons-in-law, Judy and Jack Wilbert, Barbara (Babs) and Jim Ruggles and Janet Foster; daughter-in-law, Donna Worton; 15 grandchildren, Duff (Nancy) Worton, Doug (Sheila) Worton, Jim (Louanne) Worton, Katherine (Dick) Brennan, Steve (Christine) Worton, Marty (Tanzylee)Worton, Sybil Bade, David (Ruth) Cotter, Martha (Phillip) Minter, Scott (Meg) Kaatz, Diann (Phil) Garnett, John (Kathy) Kaatz, Todd (Kelly) Kaatz, Christopher Jung, Jill Jung (Eric Stevens); 32 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son James, grandson Stephen Cotter; daughter-in-law, Jan Worton; two sisters and a brother. His family honors the memory of David and invite you to visit and share Sunday 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Yale, and attend funeral services 11:00 a.m. Monday with 10:00 a.m. visiting. Rev. James Offrink, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Yale, will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Yale. Pallbearers will be his ten grandsons. Memorials are suggested to “Wishes of the Family”. For information and Guest Book kaatzfunerals.com

David G. Worton

April 17, 1910 - April 24, 2013