David Ray Suhling, age 84, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away June 5 at Via Christi Village in Manhattan after a brief illness. Dave was born June 20, 1939, to Elmer and Esther Suhling in Bunker Hill, Illinois.

After graduating from high school, Dave trained to become an electrician, ultimately obtaining his Masters Electrician license, where he worked with the union in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Dave also worked as a wheelwright at Silver Dollar City, a job he cherished, as he learned many of these skills from his grandfather. After moving to Manhattan, he worked as a Research Technician at Civil Engineering at Kansas State University before he retired in 2012.

Dave was passionate about many hobbies, including antique tools and long gun collecting, of which he loved restoring them to their original condition. Dave was known for his green thumb and the tomatoes he grew and shared with many. He also enjoyed a good catch of catfish.

He was an animal lover and enjoyed the many dogs and cats that he and Janice shared over the years. He enjoyed watching the wildlife and would sit on the back deck of their new home in Manhattan awaiting the arrival of the many deer, turkey, squirrels, and the occasional bobcat. 

Dave was an active member of the church community in Keats. He was instrumental in the completion of the new Keats Community Center, where we are gathered today. Dave and Janice also attended the Sedalia Community Church.

He was also a member of the Keats Lions Club and Manhattan Woodworkers. He enjoyed the activities the Lions Club held for the community and sharing techniques and ideas with the woodworkers.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, son Todd, and sister Nancy Christians. He is survived by his other son, Tim, Jonesboro, IL. He is also survived by his companion and best friend of 26 years, Janice Moyer of Manhattan, her daughter Sarah (Steve) Rizza, granddaughter Olivia Rizza, Halstead, KS, Laura (Richie) Moyer, Topeka, KS, brother-in-law John (Diane) Taylor.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held at the Keats Community Center, 3193 Keats Avenue, Manhattan, KS, on Sunday, July 14th, at 1:30 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Highland Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Keats Community Center and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home. 

Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.