David Allen Wild, MD FAAFP

Dr. David Allen Wild was a physician in Manistee for 44 years. He passed away at his home in Onekama, Michigan surrounded by his children on July 5, 2026.

He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 28, 1932, to Oscar Frederick Wild and Lora Belle (Corson) Wild. He was a student at several (28, to be precise!) primary schools across the country and played bassoon in orchestras at Lansing Sexton High School and Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. His curious nature combined with a childhood passion for trains inspired a lifelong enthusiasm for travel.

He attended Western Michigan University and Michigan State University before earning his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1959. He moved to Manistee County with his first wife, Janet Helen Nelson, in 1960 to establish his family practice. Together they had five children.

A respected physician, Dave served as Chief of Staff at the Manistee Medical Care Facility for 25 years and was one of the first members of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was an elected member of the Manistee Board of Education.

In 1977 he married Sharlene Rademaker Kenny. Together with her three children, they welcomed their daughter Sarah in 1982. Above all, he considered family his greatest accomplishment. He kept in touch with his relatives all over the country through visits and phone calls.

Until just weeks before his passing, Dave served on the boards of Dial-A-Ride, Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc., Manistee Medical Care Facility, and the Manistee County Historical Museum. He stayed engaged with the University of Michigan Alumni Association and spent many years as the treasurer for PFLAG. He and Shari also established a fund through the Manistee County Community Foundation to support education in medicine and the arts.

Dave loved fishing, sailing, genealogy, and riding around on his tractor. He continued reading medical journals long after his retirement and always sought to know more about the hobbies and interests of those around him. He collected everything, from promotional pens to cast-iron pans, musical instruments to farming implements. He hated throwing things away and avoided it whenever possible.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shari in October 2023, son-in-law Timothy Brown in 2021, and sister Carol Pentoney in 2016. He is survived by his sister Barbara Simkins (Nelson) and sister-in-law Arlene Schwartz; his children Sarah Wild Lantz (Sam), Karen Wild Brown, Kristen Jo Kenny (Bob), Nathan Todd Kenny, Janet Helen Wild (Deb), Michael Kenny (Nancy), Susan Wild Barnard (Jamey), Nelson Oscar Wild, and David Wild (Lulu); sixteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Manistee, where Dave was a lifelong member.

Visitation will be available on Thursday, July 23 from 5-7pm at Oak Grove Funeral Home; a memorial service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, with reception to follow at Oak Grove Funeral Home.

Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manistee, is in charge of arrangements.

www.oakgrovefh.com