David A. Chilson, 75, died peacefully May 25, 2022. Born in 1947, Dave was the youngest son of the late Dores and Alice Chilson. He grew up in Burton, Ohio where he enjoyed collecting knives and fixing things and was a member of the Seventh day Adventist Church.
When Dave was 18, he reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date with Sharon Highlander of Rock Creek. They fell in love and were happily married from 1967 until her passing in 2016. Together they moved to Mesopotamia, Ohio where they raised three sons and were active in the community and Methodist & Mapleview churches. Dave worked in plumbing and heating & air conditioning until his retirement in 1995.
Dave was a longtime Mesopotamia volunteer firefighter (1982-2015). He loved being part of the team, and everyone called him Chili Dog. When the tones went off, day or night, he rushed to the fire station to help put out fires and participate in rescues. By his retirement, he had earned the rank of Assistant Chief.
Dave enjoyed traveling with his wife, taking Man Trips with his sons & friends, collecting guns & Civil War memorabilia, riding his motorcycle, playing cards, photography, and telling goofy jokes.
David is survived by sons William (Cheri), Stephen (Amanda), John (Marlo); grandchildren: Katelynn, Nicholas, Jake, Kayla (Wayne), Kristen, Megan, Michael, Hannah (Collin), Brianna, Garrett; great grandchildren Aleena, Cayden; brother William (Saundra); an uncle in-law Alvin, many brother & sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, his sister Priscilla (Chilson) Russell, and a grandson Jared.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held July 9 at the Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High Street, Middlefield, Ohio 44062. Visitation will be 11:00-1:00 with service at 1:00 p.m. A committal service will immediately follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mesopotamia, Ohio (Route 534 N). Some of you have reached out and asked how you can help during this difficult time.
We kindly ask that you donate funds towards the funeral service as we carry out Dave’s final wishes. Donations can be sent in Dave’s name to the Sly Family Funeral Home. P.O. Box 1275 Middlefield, Ohio 44062.