Joseph David "Dave" Sills

December 28, 1946 ~ April 07, 2026 (age 79)

Joseph David "Super Dave" Sills, son of Joseph B. and Enid (Wenger) Sills was born on December 28,1946 and passed away April 7, 2026, after a brief battle with lung cancer.

Dave grew up in Gilmer Park with his parents and siblings and attended Centre Twp School then graduating from Riley High School in 1965. He married his high school sweetheart, the late Maddy Overhulser, and was the father of Deanie (Art) Kopec and Casey Sills. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, his loving granddaughters Madison Kopec, Emma Kopec and Kiala Jerzak, his siblings Georgia (Andy) Batcho, Eric Sills, Wayne (Mary) Sills and nephews Doug and Danny Sills; sister-in-law Terry (Bob) Andreone, their children, Courtney, Michael and Christie, great-nieces Audrey and Lainey and great-nephews Ethan, Will, Cole and Alex.

Dave was the definition of a great man. He was always there to help and would drop whatever he was doing to lend a hand. When his daughters were young, he coached softball at South East Little League and made a positive impact on his players. He was supportive and encouraging and could be heard every game cheering on his team to "just give me one more out!" He was a man of God and had a truly beautiful soul. His biggest source of pride and joy in life were his granddaughters, who affectionately referred to him as "Pukka".

After high school Dave became a tool & die apprentice and began his career at South Bend Tool & Die before joining the IronWorkers Union. After several years he decided to hang up his hard hat and became a machinist at Bendix and later Allied Stamping. He retired from the Bayer Corp in Mishawaka, but soon discovered he was not built to sit around the house, so he worked during the winter months at A.K. Tool & Die then fished and drove his Vettes all summer. 

Dave was very much a do-for-others person who enjoyed helping people and was generous with his time and talents. For years he combined two of his favorite activities, which were fishing and Corvettes, by hosting a fish fry each August at his home attended by family, friends, neighbors and fellow members of the Michiana Corvette Club. This spawned into a mini-car show in his backyard with 30-40 Corvettes and other classic cars each year.

A life-long member of Southlawn United Methodist Church, Dave was respected and admired by all who knew him and his presence will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be at Hanley & Sons Funeral Home, 23421 S. R. 23, South Bend, IN 46614, on Sunday, April 19th from 3:00pm - 8:00pm. Church service will be at Southlawn United Methodist Church; visitation starting 9:00am, church service begins at 10:00am followed by graveside services at Southlawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers to honor Dave's life, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation-Ernestine M. Raclin House, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

The entire staff at Hanley and Sons Funeral Home wish to extend our deepest sympathies to all of Dave’s friends and family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph "Dave" Sills, please visit our floral store.

Services

Visitation

Sunday
April 19, 2026, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Hanley & Sons Funeral Home "Southwest Chapel"
23421 State Road 23/West Ireland Road
South Bend, IN 46614

Visitation

Monday
April 20, 2026, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Southlawn United Methodist Church
60756 Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46614

Funeral Service

Monday
April 20, 2026, 10:00 AM
Southlawn United Methodist Church
60756 Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46614

Donations

Hospice Foundation
501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka IN 46545

04/09/2026 djb   

04/26/2026 1728 GMS

https://www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com/obituary/JosephDave-Sills