Love of His Life

While in the service, at a USO dance, Dave had the pleasure of having a dance partner named, Eileen Prihoda.This was the beginning of a wonderful romance that led to their marriage on April 18, 1959, in Detroit Michigan. Eileen was the love of his life and partner until her death in 1991 when she died of cancer at the early age of 53. Dave spoke of her often as he missed her dearly and looked forward to the day he would be reunited with her in Heaven.

Family

Dave was born in Detroit Michigan, the son of Martha Millhench and Emil Lonser. He had a younger sister, Bonnie. Dave was just 3 years old when his father died of a heart attack, leaving his mother to raise 2 small children alone. This presented tough times for the young family. Dave and his sister were moved to a farm with a foster family where he learned to work hard and develop good moral values. He later ran away from his foster home and lived at homes of various relatives until, at the age of 17, he joined the army to change his future. This is where he was destined to meet his future wife, Eileen.
He married Eileen and had 3 daughters, Barbara, Catherine, and Sharon. Dave, Eileen, and his daughters lived in Detroit until 1967 when they relocated to Lighthouse Point, Florida. Dave also has 4 grandsons, James and Bryan McGreal, Christopher Tropepe, and Dustin Freeburg. Ironically, Bryan, Chris, and Dustin were all born in 1992, the year after the death of Eileen. What a wonderful legacy she left for her 3 girls! Four wonderful grandsons for Dave to enjoy!

Education

Dave attended grade school in Michigan, in a small town where the schoolhouse was a one-room multipurpose building. All grades were taught in this one room which also served as their church on Sundays. After military service and marriage to Eileen, Dave finally finished high school with a GED diploma. Soon after, he attended the Detroit Institute of Technology (DIT) and received a graduate degree in engineering. Everyone remembers the hours spent studying, with his best friend, in the basement of his home in Detroit. After he moved to Florida, Dave attended the New York Institute of Technology and received an MBA degree. With no basement in Florida, the dining room table served as the study area of choice. His wife now became his study partner and assistant. It was thought that she was the reason he passed the courses!

Activities

ROCKS! Dave loved rocks. Not just ordinary rocks, but the kind you make into jewelry and to display. Eileen’s father showed him the craft and it became a lifelong passion. It seemed that every family vacation involved rocks. Mining for rocks. Roadside rocks. Taking pictures of rocks. Rock show events. Dave liked any activity involving the search for the perfect rock of the moment. One benefit of this hobby was unique gemstone gifts for his family and friends.

Beautiful treasures from Dave, from Dad, or from Grandpa to cherish and remember him always. Also worth a mention were other hobbies on a lesser scale. Dave loved to take pictures. Pictures of his family. Pictures of flowers. Pictures of places. And, of course, pictures of ROCKS! Dave loved to travel. He loved to travel the states to visit relatives. He also visited many countries to experience different cultures and of course, collect exotic rocks! Finally, his love of fishing has to be mentioned. He loved to fish but hated to eat fish. There was a big trophy sailfish hanging on the wall in his den, proudly on display awaiting the “big fish” story to be told.

Activities

ROCKS! Dave loved rocks. Not just ordinary rocks, but the kind you make into jewelry and to display. Eileen’s father showed him the craft and it became a lifelong passion. It seemed that every family vacation involved rocks. Mining for rocks. Roadside rocks. Taking pictures of rocks. Rock show events. Dave liked any activity involving the search for the perfect rock of the moment. One benefit of this hobby was unique gemstone gifts for his family and friends. Beautiful treasures from Dave, from Dad, or from Grandpa to cherish and remember him always. Also worth a mention were other hobbies on a lesser scale. Dave loved to take pictures. Pictures of his family. Pictures of flowers. Pictures of places. And, of course, pictures of ROCKS! Dave loved to travel. He loved to travel the states to visit relatives. He also visited many countries to experience different cultures and of course, collect exotic rocks! Finally, his love of fishing has to be mentioned. He loved to fish but hated to eat fish. There was a big trophy sailfish hanging on the wall in his den, proudly on display awaiting the “big fish” story to be told.

Giving

David believed in St. Paul the Apostle church.
We have included a link to their webpage so you can make a donation in
David’s honor. Please, click the link below to go to their page:

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

If you would like to send flowers/gift baskets CLICK HERE

Giving

David believed in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
We have included a link to their webpage so you can make a donation in
David’s honor. Please, click the link below to go to their page:

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

If you would like to send flowers/gift baskets CLICK HERE

Feel free to share your thoughts and prayers for David Emil Lonser below.

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