David Eugene Sayler, 85, of Novi, Mich., passed away at 1:30 a.m. February 5, 2008 at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, Mich.

Mr Sayler was born at Crawfordsville to Parents Herman J. and Naomi Muriel Pope Sayler.

He was a resident of Birmingham, Mich., for 51 years and worked at Ford Motor Company for 25 years before retirement. He was a 1940 graduate of New Market High School, attended Wabash College & graduated from Indiana University after military service. He was married to Martha Houlehan Sayler for 61 years. He was a decorated World War II Bomber Pilot, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps based in England; he flew dozens of missions from England to Germany. His memberships included First Baptist Church, Birmingham, Mich., Sigma Nu Fraternity, Masonic Lodge #50, Second Air Division Eighth Air Force 44th Bomb Group.

He is survived by two sons, Michael (Margie) Sayler, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Frederic (Jane) Sayler, Middletown, Md.; brother; John Charles (Ethel) Sayler of Waveland; five grandsons, Ben, Wes, Brad, all of Maryland, Steve of Colorado, David (Lyndi); one granddaughter, Jennifer (Eric) Whitmore of Oregon; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Funeral services will be held at Hunt & Sons Funeral Home in Crawfordsville on Tuesday 2:00pm with visitation from 12:30 p.m. until start of services. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery North, Crawfordsville.

Family has requested donations to a charity of choice in lieu of flowers.