David George Svetlik

Dave Svetlik was born on September 21, 1947. He left this world on May 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. He grew up in Neillsville, Wisconsin, with five siblings, where he enjoyed fishing on the Black River, a passion he later shared with his children.

Dave met the love of his life, Cheryl, and they were married on January 5, 1980. They moved to Kronenwetter with Cheryl’s children, Laura and David, that same year and lived together in their home for 46 years. Dave and Cheryl welcomed their children, John and Paul, into their family in the coming years, followed closely by their grandchildren, Wes, Mike, and Leanna.

Dave, Cheryl, and their children loved to sail around the Door County Peninsula and road trip across the country, visiting the majority of the National Parks. Dave showed up for everyone, his children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandson, Abe, to whom he was a proud “Grampy”. He loved spending time with his granddaughters, Sara and Katie. He and Katie enjoyed lunch together nearly every week.

Dave was a father figure to anyone who needed one and helped several family members find their lifelong careers. It didn’t matter the scope of the job; if you needed Dave’s help, he was there. Dave could fix or build anything. He loved to share that knowledge with his family, his students, and anyone he could help.

For many years, Dave owned his own heating and cooling business before joining Northcentral Technical College as an electromechanical faculty member for almost twenty years. It was common for former students to recognize him in the community, expressing their appreciation for his guidance.

Upon retirement, a favorite way to spend his time was “bumming” with Cheryl, especially to the Mead Wildlife Area to watch migrating birds. He looked forward to seeing the sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, and geese each spring. He recently revived an annual tradition of fishing in Canada with his son John and grandson Andrew.

Dave spent hours in his woodshop with Paul, building everything from wooden boats to fine furniture. He recently started choosing to spend time playing with his grandson Frankie, over cutting dovetail joints with Paul. He loved maintaining trails at the land where he built a cabin with his own hands and spending time boating in his handmade wooden boat.

In the last few years, Dave spent a lot of his time researching and writing social justice and progressive political opinion pieces for local news organizations.

He was an easy man to love and will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.

Dave is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his daughter, Laura (Gary Erickson) Rose-Erickson; and sons, John Svetlik (Mandy Yang) and Paul (Amanda Ley) Svetlik. He loved his grandchildren, Wesley Rose (Jamie Lenzner), Michael (Ashley) Rose, Leanna (Tim) Holzem, Sara Williams, Katie Williams, Andrew Svetlik, and Francis Ley-Svetlik; and his great-grandson, Abraham Holzem. He was also survived by his siblings, Jeanne (Ed) Kubicki, Carolyn (Hal Ehrenreich) Michalski, Alan (Penny) Svetlik; sister-in-law, Rita Svetlik; brothers-in-law, Mark (Cindy) Miller and Michael Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Catherine Svetlik; his brothers, John and Gerry Svetlik; his in-laws, Robert and Jeanne Miller; and his son, David Williams.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson Street, Weston, WI. Pastor Lance Hoelscher will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.