David Eland

David Gerard Eland, 72, of Belleville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026. He was born on December 17, 1953, in Highland Park, Michigan, and grew up in Redford, Michigan, alongside his five siblings and his parents, Robert and Josephine Eland, in a home full of noise, love, and laughter.

David had a technical mind and built a career in mechanical engineering, but his heart always belonged to the arts. He was a creative soul through and through, whether he was teaching art classes, airbrushing canvasses, or bringing characters to life with nothing but a pencil and his imagination. He loved a good book, an even better sci-fi movie, and never outgrew his love of video games.

More than anything, David was a wonderful father and grandfather. He was kind, generous, patient, and caring, the kind of man who made everyone around him feel steadier just for being near him. To his daughters and grandchildren, he was a superhero. To his friends and family, he was the comedian who could always find the joke in a hard day. To his coworkers, he was a trusted mentor. He carried all three roles with the same easy warmth.

He is survived by his daughter, Dayna Eland; his stepdaughters, Connie (Andy) D'Onofrio and Shelley Wynychuk; and his beloved grandchildren, Everett Tooman, Riley D'Onofrio, and Henry D'Onofrio. David is also survived by Denise Eland (Easton) whom he married in 1989. Though they separated in 2000, they remained friends in the years since, a quiet testament to the kindness that defined him.

He is also survived by his siblings, Vickie (Steve) Kegel, Mike (Leslie) Eland, Debbie (Bill) Reed, Bob Eland, and Mary (Darriel) Smith, who shared with him a lifetime of memories going back to their childhood in Redford.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Josephine Eland, and by his best buddy, Tonka, his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, who was by his side for many faithful years.

David was cremated on July 10, 2026. A celebration of his life will be held later this year, where family and friends will gather to share stories, laughter, and love, in a way David himself would have appreciated most.

He will be deeply missed, and always remembered.