John David "Dave" Rye, 64, of 461 E. Tamarack St., Ironwood, died Saturday morning, April 12, 2008, in Hurley, surrounded by his family, following a courageous, 17- month battle with mesothelioma. He was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Ironwood, son of Lucille (Hill) and the late Frederick Rye, attended G.N. Sleight and Central Grade Schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1961. He then served in the Michigan National Guard and was activated into the regular Army during the Detroit Riots. Dave was employed as a baker at Pollari's Market (Jack's Food Shop) in Ironwood for one year, and in the bakery at Carlson's Supermarket in downtown Ironwood in 1963, retiring from the Pastry Kitchen in 2001 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1998. A self taught musician, he was an accomplished guitarist and accordianist, and played with the Ranch Boys. He enjoyed classic cars and carpentry work, and was the Color Guard instructor for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in Ironwood for a number of years. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood. Dave especially enjoyed helping people, and took care of his granddaughter for two years. He always put everyone's needs before his own. On Oct. 15, 1966, he was married to the former Verlynn M. Lehto at the Newport Methodist Church in Ironwood by the Rev. James Lumsden. She survives. Also surviving are three sons, John David Jr. (Julie), Austin, Minn., and Patrick James (Jeannette), and Robert Alan (Lori), both of Ironwood; five grandchildren, Amanda Ellen, Ashley Irene, Cody Matthew, Kelsey Viola and Payton Elyse; his mother, Lucille Rye, of Ironwood; a brother, Albert, Ironwood, and sister, Karen (Pat) LaRock, Marenisco; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Milton Lehto, and Steve and Roberta Lehto, all of Ironwood, and Jack and Kris Lehto, Champlin, Minn.; and a very special adopted daughter, Allyson Maki, of St. Petersburg, Fla. Besides his father, who preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 1975, Dave was preceded in death by a sister, Judith Ann Rye, in 1942; a special aunt, Caroline Bentzen, in 1980; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Rye, in 2002. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 15, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 So. Curry St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating. Committal services will take place at the church, where a flag presentation ceremony will be accorded by representatives of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowhsip hall. Cremation will take place. Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, later this spring. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday. Serving as pallbearers will be John, Patrick, Robert and Albert Rye, Steve and Jack Lehto, Paul Gervais, and Pat LaRock. To view Dave's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.