David Earl Mattlin

David Earl Mattlin of Caro, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 22, 2026, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Saginaw. He was born on July 6, 1945, the son of the late Earl F. and Evelyn (Martin) Mattlin, Jr. Dave graduated from Caro High School in 1963 and attended Concordia Lutheran Junior College from 1963 to 1965. During high school, he worked with a local DJ helping organize teen dances and while attending college, he worked summers at the Caro State Hospital. On August 27, 1966, David married the love of his life, the former, Diana Singer, at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Evansville, Indiana. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service to their community. Dave devoted his life to public service and protecting the Caro community he dearly loved.

In April 1968, Dave began his law enforcement career with the Tuscola County Sheriff Department, serving as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Hugh Marr until December 1, 1970. He then joined the Caro Police Department, where he faithfully served from 1970 until 1996 as a patrolman under Chiefs Clayton Montei, Ken Ball, Ron Iseler, and Ben Page. On July 1, 1974, Dave joined the Caro Fire Department as a paid on-call firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1981 and became Fire Chief in 1982, serving in that role while continuing full-time police duties. In 1996, after retiring from the police department, he became full-time Fire Chief and Zoning Administrator for the City of Caro. He retired as a full-time employee in July 2010 but continued serving the department as Command Advisor to Chief Randy Heckroth until 2019.

Dave’s dedication extended beyond his professional career. He served on the City of Caro Charter Commission and was an active volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child alongside Diana through St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro, also serving for many years as Caro Area Drop-Off Center coordinators. A lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dave faithfully served as an Elder, Congregational Chairman, and Finance Committee collector over the years. He was also active in Michigan Lutheran Marriage Encounter and, together with Diana, chaired the Lutheran Marriage Encounter Prayer Chain.

Dave enjoyed Civil War history and traveling to Civil War battlefields, touring Michigan lighthouses, camping, pulling weeds in Diana’s flower garden, and photographing flowers, birds, and butterflies. His gentle spirit, sense of humor, unwavering faith, and lifelong dedication to serving others will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dave leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of nearly sixty years, Diana; children, Kimberly (Chris) Ashcraft and Michael (Cheryl) Mattlin; grandchildren, Alex Odorico and Echo (Luke) Vesper; step-granddaughter, Jodi (Greg) Rynearson; step-great-grandson, Coby (Jade) Fetting; brother, Martin Mattlin; several nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Earl F. Mattlin III.

Dave’s funeral service will be on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Caro. Dave’s family will be present to receive visitors on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the Ransford Funeral Home in Caro from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again at church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of his service.

At Dave’s request, please do not send flowers, if you wish to give an expression of sympathy it is asked to consider memorial contributions to the Caro Volunteer Fire Department, Samaritan’s Purse, or St. Paul Lutheran Church Education Fund.