David Gagala

IRON MOUNTAIN - David F. Gagala, 60, of Iron Mountain, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born on Nov. 9, 1948, in Chicago, the son of Frank and Ethel (Rozhon) Gagala. Dave graduated from Brother Rice High School and attended Southern Illinois University. He worked as a salesman for Perry Printing until 1997 Dave married Mary Augustine on Nov. 24, 1978, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway. Dave was very involved in Iron Mountain High School athletics. He was the statistician for the volleyball team and an assistant volunteer coach for the girls track team, helping with shot put and discus. He was named the "Iron Mountain High School Athletic Booster of the Year" for the 2001-2002 school year. Dave also was a great supporter of St. Norbert College athletics. Dave was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed spending time with his dog, Mollie and outdoor camping. He participated in many fantasy sports leagues and at one time was the manager of the Quinnesec Wishigan League Baseball team. Dave is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Laura Gagala of Milwaukee; his parents, Frank and Ethel Gagala of Iron Mountain; his sister, Christine (Donald) Schmidt of Peavy Falls; his brother-in-law, David (Joan) Augustine of Lansing, Ill.; his sisters-in-law, Susan (Peter) Reijula of Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Ann (Todd) Dixon of Lansing, Mich.; his nephews, Todd (Becky Meiner) Schmidt, David Augustine, and Dain Dixon; his nieces, Carrie (Jake) Bradley, Sara (Steve) Schulz, Amy Augustine, Katie (Ed) Wasilewski, Lisa Reijula, Erica Reijula, and Amber (Ryan Hasenbank) Dixon; and many close friends. Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Daniel Zaloga will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be Jim Fornetti, Rex Terwilliger, DeWayne Weinfurter, Jake Bradley, Todd Schmidt and David Augustine. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the family will be used to sponsor Dave's daughter Laura, who is running the Chicago Marathon for the American Cancer Society in memory of her father on Oct. 11, 2009. Condolences to the family of David Gagala can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with arrangements.

David Gagala

February 17, 1949 - February 17, 2009