Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

David Michael Briggs, 81, of Wooster passed away peacefully Saturday, June 13, 2020 at home surrounded by his wife of 52 years and his three sons.
Born January 19, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio, he married Carol Malkmus on June 23, 1968.
David graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, later earning a Master ™s degree in Financial Services from American University.   While at Ohio University he was an active member of and served as President of the Beta Theta Pi social fraternity, remaining active throughout his life.   An ROTC cadet while in college, David served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army, including five years in Germany and Vietnam from 1962-1967.
Spending his professional career as a financial advisor, he founded what is now Briggs Financial Group in downtown Wooster.   Active in the financial services industry, he always pursued further education toward helping his clients and was known for sharing his expertise with others.
He was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ, serving on its Consistery and several committees.   Locally, David also served as a past President of Rotary, past board President of Main Street Wooster Inc., a Trustee Emeritus of the Wayne County Community Foundation, a Trustee with the Boy Scouts Buckeye Council, a board member of the Gault Family Learning Center, and a board member of the Wayne Center for the Arts.   He served on several other non-profit and for-profit boards over the years.   In addition to these formal capacities, David quietly helped with many other community causes, often behind the scenes, and provided counsel to various community leaders.
David greatly enjoyed the outdoors, especially traveling with his family and close friends; whether canoeing, fishing, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or his daily early morning walks, he felt renewed energy and spirit outdoors.   He strongly believed in environmental preservation and was always thinking towards the future.   He was guided by his strong faith, devotion to his family, and love of his country and community.   He was widely known for his relentless positive attitude and ability to inspire others.
Along with his wife, David is survived by his children Geoffrey D. (Anne) Briggs of Chevy Chase, MD, Kristen F. Briggs of Lakewood, OH, and Adam A. (Vikki) Briggs of Wooster; grandchildren Harrison, Caroline, Curtis, Emma, and Benjamin; brothers Robert W. (Alyssa) Briggs of Cleveland and James (Maribeth) Briggs of Dallas, Oregon and sister-in-law Charlene Briggs of Sarasota, FL.
He was preceded in death by his father Charles A. Briggs III; mother Frances Shoolroy; step-fathers Robert H. Freeman and Ross K. Shoolroy; daughter Tiffany E. Briggs, and brother Charles A. Briggs, IV.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne County Community Foundation at 517 North Market St, Wooster, OH, 44691, or Trinity United Church of Christ at 150 East North Street, Wooster, OH 44691.
Private family burial services will be held.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

Memorial Contributions
Wayne County Community Foundation at 517 North Market St, Wooster, OH, 44691, or Trinity United Church of Christ at 150 East North Street, Wooster, OH 44691.

Service
Private family burial will be held

Visitation

49 Comments

  1. Dave was a treasure to our community. Our deepest sympathy to Carol and the whole family.

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  2. Carol, my condolences to you and the boys. Tears and heart aches are signs of good memories. I have many good memories of Dave and you and our times together… even washed plates set aside for the dishwasher.
    Godspeed,
    Joel

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  3. Sorry to hear about the passing of my long time friend, Dave Briggs, today. Our friendship started in Sunday School of the Trinity United Church of Christ in the mid-50s and has been maintained all these years.
    Carol, our sincere condolences to you and the family. We will continue to say a special prayer for you and David on the many future Christmas nights.

    Bill

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  4. May he Rest In Peace. The world lost a great man, but it’s a better place because of him.

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  5. The city of Wooster lost a good man but the Brothers of Beta Kappa of Beta Theta Pi have lost a GREAT BROTHER. Dave will be remembered by many of his Beta Brothers and will be honored by many once this virus is gone
    Carol and the family have pride in Dave- but not as much as all his Beta Brothers .
    The word KAI now means much more to all of us
    Brother Briggs— R I P

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  6. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. He was a truly remarkable man that will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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  7. Adam and family,
    We were very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I always enjoyed working with him over the years when I was working for Ron Holtman. He was a true professional. We hope you and your family can find peace at this difficult time.
    Sondra & Matt Woods

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  8. Dave was a special man. He was truly kind and gave of himself always. I will miss him.

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  9. Adam and family:
    So sorry to read about Dave in the paper today. “Relentless Positive Attitude” was a perfect description and he had such an easy way about him. He will be missed by many.

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  10. We’re sending our since symphony for your loss of a wonderful husband,father and a faithful friend. Dave will be missed by all who knew him. But will be grateful for the special memories like Greg helping Dave setting the Christmas tree back up after it fell over and Dave’s wonderful smoked cheese. Many thoughts and prayers to Carol and your family. The Buchanan Family

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  11. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Briggs family. A great friend and true gentleman at all times. We will miss his warm smile and friendship but he will forever remain in my heart.He was my Beta idol.

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  12. What a wonderful person! His contagious smile will be greatly missed at our Wooster Rotary Club Meetings!

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  13. Carol- So deeply sorry. He was a great guy and good friend. Will be sorely missed. God Bless
    Joe Lufkin

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  14. My heart goes out to all the family. Carol, I send my love to you and the pain for your loss. David was a special, caring person. A gentle soul. He will be missed in this community, and all the things he did. He was like Dan, a
    Renaissance man. I know the pain you feel. Much love. Linda

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  15. Dear Briggs Family,
    Please accept our most sincere condolences. We are so sorry for your loss. Dave was such a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed by all. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love, Amy, Chris, Teresa & Gino Stephens

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  16. The entire McDermott family is better for being David’s friend. His reassuring smile, his gentle manner and his unstinting friendship made our world better. May he rest in peace, knowing that with him always is the love of family and friends.

    Dan McDermott

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  17. He was truly wonderful. Funny . And always kind. He will be greatly missed. My heart is with you Carol and family! ♥️♥️♥️

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  18. My heart goes out to your entire family. Our Wooster Community has lost a great steward who was a pillar f leadership and philanthropy. I enjoyed working with him to sell his moms beautiful home on Caldwell. What a true gentleman!

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  19. When I think of Dave, I remember the trips to the Catawba condo and the fishing excursions on Lake Erie. Lots of great conversation with Dave and Rob about anything and everything. Always a good time, even without catching any fish. And it was readily apparent to me how important all of his family was to him. He was certainly a man who made his mark and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

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  20. So saddened by the news of Dave’s passing. He was a kind, caring man and will be sorely missed. Dave was a friend from our grade school years through high school graduation. My heart goes out to his entire family.

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  21. I always admired David. He was my next door neighbor when I was a child and we worked together to make a brick patio. He was always friendly and caring to me. His love of his family and dedication was an inspiration to me. I am sad to hear of his passing and will keep his family in my prayers.

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  22. My sympathies to Dave’s family. Been a few years since I spent time with Dave, but have fond memories of our relationship early in his career. He did it the right way.

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  23. Connie and I (Wanda) both worked for Dave’s mom (Mrs Schoolroy). We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Dave. He is now with his mom. Remember working and him slipping in Mrs Schoolroys home early mornings quiet as a mouse. Never knew he was there till you looked up and there he was. May peace be with you at this hard time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.

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  24. Carol, I was quite saddened to learn of David’s passing this morning. Don Bogner had given me a heads-up a week or two ago that David was quite ill. And Don sent out David’s obituary this morning to me. I always enjoyed the meetings with you and David over the years, you folks were always so kind and gracious. My deepest sympathy for your loss. When next I am in Wooster, I will try to stop by to say hello. My very best to you and your children and grandkids.

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  25. We’re so saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. I was fortunate to know and work with Dave as we established Mainstreet Wooster. Dave was so proud of his family, both past and present and was a person you could look up to when you sought navigation in life. I feel fortunate to have known Dave as a friend, fraternity brother and client. Thank you for your legend. -kai-

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  26. My deepest sympathy to the family in your loss. I met Dave on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. He was a great outdoorsman and a leader.

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  27. I’m so sorry to hear about Mr. Briggs’ passing. I know he will be so missed in Wooster, and by his family. He was such a wonderful person: kind, friendly, funny and so personable. Much love to the family. We’re thinking of you all. -Sara

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  28. Adam,
    Although I did not know your father personally, I would recognize him at Wooster Country Club and say hello. He was known for his generosity and so well regarded and respected. I regret that I did not get to know him better. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

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  29. Sorry for your family’s loss, prayers to all.

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  30. Bumping into Dave in the hallway of the Freeman Building was always a jovial treat..loved hearing his App Trail stories and his mere presence lit up the building….such a wonderful human being…GOD is certainly beaming with welcoming arms! My heart aches for your entire family and all who loved him

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  31. What a great model for everyone and especially for the men in our family. All 3 of us got to know Dave through Boy Scouts and Canadian canoe trips. He was always positive, with sage advice, and an infectious smile. May God continue to bless you.

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  32. On behalf of all the members of the St. Paul Hotel Partnership, we would like to extend our most sincere condolences to your entire family on the passing of David. He was a great business partner with an always positive attitude and quite possibly Wooster’s best cheerleader.

    He moved quietly through life, but left an indelible impression with everyone he met. I especially remember the great talks we had and his willingness to share his expertise and guidance. He was a class act – and one of the reasons I became involved in the St. Paul; it was just a joy to be in his company.

    David was admired and highly respected by every one of us and will be very much missed. He was an amazing person with a remarkable life. We are so lucky that we got to know him.

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  33. Carol, If it was my responsibility to form an award for “just a nice guy” my first “just a nice guy” award would go to David Briggs. I did not know him well, but what I did know was just a nice guy. My sincere condolences. Jim

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  34. My heart aches. I pray for the Briggs Family . God will bestow grace to comfort you.

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  35. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Briggs family. David always had a smile and good wishes for everyone. A remarkable life, well lived. We are all blessed to have known him and his legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren.

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  36. All of us who have been blessed to know Dave, share the grief of the Briggs family over the loss of a friend, a mentor, an inspiration. Dave will be remembered and his legacy will propel us to be better because we knew Dave Briggs.

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  37. May we strive each day to follow the extraordinary example Dave set, whether it be as a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a community leader or merely as a sincere and caring neighbor. He smile warmed our hearts. His memory will continue to do so.

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  38. Dear Carol, David’s wonderful gentleness and warm smile will certainly be missed here at Lake House. It was always such a joy to see both of you and the entire Briggs family on their visits. May he rest in peace.

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  39. Please accept our sincere sympathy. David was respected and admired, and he quietly contributed so much to Wooster and to those with whom he came in contact. I always enjoyed our conversations and will miss seeing him walk by our house early in the morning.

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  40. Dear Briggs Family,
    I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave. I will remember him well for his warmth, kindness, and interest in the lives of others. I send sincere condolences to your family.

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  41. My experience with Dave was on several Boy Scout Canadian canoe trips in the 1980s when our boys were young. Such great experiences and Dave’s leadership with the scouts was a wonderful example for us all. We are very sorry for the family’s loss.

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  42. Carol, Geoffrey, Kristen and Adam
    I felt privileged to have met David. His warmth, kindness, and gentle sense of humor made me feel so welcomed.
    My thoughts are with you all.
    Love Terry

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  43. Carol,
    On behalf of all your friends, neighbors and the staff at Lake House South, let me offer our deepest condolences on David’s passing. LHS will not be the same without him. David was always the ultimate gentleman, quick with a smile and a gentle, kind word and quietly supportive of those around him. He will be greatly missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

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  44. Carol, Adam and family,
    We are so very sorry and saddened to learn of Dave’s passing. Please know you are on our hearts and in our prayers during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to your family.
    Jim & Linda

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  45. My deepest sympathy in your loss of husband, father, grandfather. It is a most difficult time. My husband, Phil Ritzi, passed seven months ago. He graduated with Dave and I know he would have been saddened to hear of his passing. Prayers are with the family.

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  46. Dear Carol and all the family, Ken and I send our deepest sympathy to you all. Dave was such a special man and leaves such an indelible print on Wooster and all those who knew him. Seeing him return from his “walk about” at Miller Lakes each morning, we knew all was right with the world. We send our love from afar.

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  47. Dear Carol, I am so sorry about the passing of Dave. He was a wonderful man. I knew him from the cafeteria and I also babysat for you when the children were very young. My maiden name was Shaner. I know it has been many years ago, but I will never forget how kind both of you were to me. I reside in AZ with my husband, Take care of yourself. Love Harriet Shaner Hickman

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  48. Dear Briggs Family, I’m so sad to hear this news. I knew David for his kind generosity, sage advice, and easy smile. He left a remarkable legacy. My love and sympathy go out to you.

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