ForeverMissed
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David was born December 26, 1967, in Monmouth County, NJ. He was a United States Army and National Guard veteran and was employed by the N.C. Department of Transportation. The greatest joy of his life was his family, especially his two sons. He believed in his country and was proud to serve in the military.

He is survived by sons, Taylor James Van Lew and David Alex Van Lew; mother and step-father, Jane F. McKenney Shinn of Ohio and Nelson Shinn of Alabama; father, David Allan Van Lew, Sr. of New Jersey.; brothers, Christopher J. Lomauro of New York, Sean P. Van Lew of New Jersey and Theodore N. Shinn, III, of Alabama; and sister, Natalie F. Shinn Dubeansky, of Ohio.

 

 

A LETTER FROM HEAVEN"

My Dearest Family,
Some things I'd like to say
but first of all to let you know
that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven
where I dwell with God above
where there's no more tears or
sadness, there is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight,
remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.

That night I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said "I welcome you.

"It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone,
as for your loving family
they'll join you later on."

Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do,
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you.

And I will be beside you
every day and week and year,
and when you're sad,
I'm standing there
to wipe away the tear.

And when you lie in bed at night,
the days chores all put right,
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years,
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry,
it does relieve the pain,
and remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned,
but if I were to tell you,
you wouldn't understand.

And one thing is for certain,
though my life on Earth is o'er.
I feel as close to you now
as I always was before.

To all my many friends,
trust God knows what is best.
I'm still not far away from you,
I'm just beyond the crest.

When you are walking
down the street
and you've got me on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.

And when you feel the gentle breeze
or the wind upon your face,
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace.

And when it's time for you to go
from that body to be free,
remember you're not going,
you are coming here to me.

And I will always love you
in that land way up above.
I'll be in touch again soon.
P.S. God sends His Love

 

August 10, 2023
August 10, 2023
14 years. Too soon brother, too soon. I love you, and hope you are celebrating with Mom. I miss you, and I love you.
August 10, 2022
August 10, 2022
13 years today, Diamond Dave. Still doesn't seem real. I look at your picture every day and wonder what we would be doing if you were here. You are loved and missed by so many.  Forever in our hearts and minds. - Sheen
December 26, 2021
December 26, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday Dave. Not a day goes by that you are not missed and thought about. I love you Brother. One day we will see each other again.
December 26, 2021
December 26, 2021
David, you are still missed!! Thanks for always been so good to me and the kids!!
It seemed like it was yesterday when you visited us back in the apartment!! The kids and I still think about it and laugh at how funny you were!!

August 11, 2020
August 11, 2020
11 years...I look at your picture every day. It still doesn't seem real. I love you Diamond Dave. I know you are watching over us.
August 10, 2020
August 10, 2020
Seems like yesterday you were taken from us.......We all miss you emensely. Always and forever loved. You were my brother in the truest sense of the word. I miss you Dave........,.,..,.
December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019
Happy Birthday brother. Love and miss you❤
December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019
Broceefus,
          We all miss and love you ! Happy birthday to my beautiful brother who has touched so many lives in a positive way. My heart will never recover the loss of you.
August 11, 2019
August 11, 2019
Ten years brother. So much has happened. I love you and miss you. I pray to whatever power there is, that one day I will look upon your face again, to see your smile, hear your infectious laugh. Until that time...I love you.
April 3, 2017
April 3, 2017
Lisa and I were just reminiscing the other day about when we were all teenagers. I couldn't help but smile. We all had some great times together. We all miss you and think of you often. You touched our hearts and will forever have a piece of them. God bless.
August 10, 2016
August 10, 2016
Love you so much Dave! 7 years today. I miss you, and love you. Came across the picture recently of us taken outside the Armory in Freehold. "The 3rd Herd" You always looked good in your uniform bro. .
Lol, let someone mess around and scuff the spit shine and see what happened. I remember you got so mad at me on drill that weekend, cause you and Gresh were sleeping inside the 113, and I opened up on you guys from the back ramp with the M60. OMG How loud was that? You chasing me through the woods in your socks...cursing up a storm. Lol....I miss you man. Love you forever, and a day big brother....Until we meet again in Valhalla.
August 10, 2015
August 10, 2015
I love you bro. This life is so full of twists and turns, and peaks and valleys. Situations that I am not smart enough to understand, and those that I've created. I don't believe in regrets, as they are a waste of time and energy. "It is, what it is.." Is a phrase that has become my mantra. My one and only regret, is that I did not answer the phone that day you called. One day, we are going to have that conversation. I love you Diamond Dave. I miss you brother.
August 10, 2015
August 10, 2015
My Brother,
           I miss you so......
August 10, 2014
August 10, 2014
5 Years... I love you man. I miss you. 

I often think about the woman you were living with and what she is doing now. I often think about how as a licensed medical professional in the state of North Carolina, she would be more concerned with changing your shirt before the paramedics arrived, rather than perform basic life saving measures. She told me it was because your shirt was wet, and she didn't want you to catch cold....In August...in North Carolina?? it didn't make sense to the paramedics either... Unfortunately whatever evidence was on your shirt that she changed, was long gone. Sure wish the Sheriffs deputy's would have been able to collect that shirt and process it for evidence.. Karma.... I truly believe that we reap what we sow,,,,, I am holding fast to that. I love you brother.
December 31, 2013
December 31, 2013
Happy Birthday Dave. You'd be 46, with a big ole hole in your natural! I love you. Steelers won, but missed the playoffs. Refs blew 2 huge calls in the KC game that would have gotten us in. I can hear you complaining about the calls now....

Not many days go by where I do not think about you. If one does, I feel horrible that I could forget to think about you....does that make sense? Kids are getting big bro. I know you see them... Every time Sean Jr. smiles, I see you...I love you..I miss you.
August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
I miss you David Alan VanLew. When I look at my sons I see you. I see your smile, I see your curious look in my youngest. I see your determined look in my oldest. I see your happiness in both of them. I miss your smile. You weren't perfect Dave, but you were the most real , loving person I know. You loved completely. Steelers are on tonight.
August 11, 2012
August 11, 2012
3 years. I am waiting for the call Dave. I promise Ill answer the phone. I promise.
January 3, 2012
January 3, 2012
I miss you Dave...No matter where you were, and no matter what you were doing , if someone in your family needed you, you were always there. I love you.
January 3, 2012
January 3, 2012
I miss you bro. We had so many good times growing up. We always laugh when we talk about you. you were a funny guy! If i can take one thing from you, Its that "god has a plan for us all". You always told me that and you always believed it. Peace be with you
December 28, 2011
December 28, 2011
Struggling immensely this holiday season without you Dave.......
November 25, 2011
November 25, 2011
I remember when we were in the flag football league, and our new jerseys came and on the back they all read Lomauro, I apologized to you guys (David & Sean), and David replied in front of ther whole team "Bro, its ok we are Lomauro's too. Brother I miss you.
August 24, 2011
August 24, 2011
Dear Sweet "Jane" ... sitting here w/mom looking at old pics when mom found David's memorial program. I'm thankful I was able to spend time w/him ... what a fun guy! And a great smile! He is truly missed!
August 11, 2011
August 11, 2011
The passing of time is so inadequate as a comfort, but all we have. I miss you so much brother. It is ironic that the little things remind me of you. I smelled the ocean on the wind today, and it reminded me of the time that we got so sunburned at point pleasant as kids. I lov
August 10, 2011
August 10, 2011
My dear David...how my heart weeps with missing you.. I know you are now experiencing what you have always longed for...absolute, complete, honest and pure love.That knowing is the only thing that makes your absence bearable. I love you son and long to be with you again.
August 10, 2011
August 10, 2011
David,
Can't believe two years have gone by since you went to be with the Lord. You are truly missed!!
June 16, 2011
June 16, 2011
Dave,
   I love and miss you. I would do anything to bring you back.
February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011
I close my eyes late at night and its like your there Dave. Remembering things we done together as brothers. The precious special memories that only we have, and that nobody can take away.I hope I will see you again up yonder, cuz I know your there.
December 31, 2010
December 31, 2010
You would have turned 43 on the 26th...Happy Birthday brother! Time softens the pain some, but the hole in our lives can never be filled. I love you Diamond Dave.
December 26, 2010
December 26, 2010
Happy Birthday David...I love and miss you very much! You are so special to me. Love, Aunt Jennie
December 21, 2010
December 21, 2010
Dave, You were and always will be remembered as a wonderful man. And for those of you who don't concur, you knew him not, and can kiss my ass!
November 1, 2010
November 1, 2010
Mom called Tyler a peanut head yesterday...i had a visual of you gritting your teeth, taking his head in your hands and saying, 'look at this little peanut head'....God gave us the gift of memory not so we would be sad, but to keep our loved ones who passed on, alive in our hearts and to remember how precious are our souls and the life we bring to them. Now, if I could only stop being sad.
October 29, 2010
October 29, 2010
Still in denial Dave, I miss you so very much. My best friend is gone........
October 12, 2010
October 12, 2010
I love you brother! I heard Counting Crows "Rain King" the other day and it reminded me of you. I miss you, and have not forgotten....
September 3, 2010
September 3, 2010
I love you dad I miss you so much and i think about you every day
August 10, 2010
August 10, 2010
My dearest David....Today is yesterday and yesterday is today.I may not be able to feel your face, but I feel your love and you now know the extent of mine for you! Thank you son for the joy you have given
August 10, 2010
August 10, 2010
I love you and miss you Dave. Nobody can hurt you anymore Brother.
August 10, 2010
August 10, 2010
Exactly 365 days has passed. Not one of them has gone gone by without the hole in my heart seeping at the recollection of what was, what is, and what could have been. I love you brother.
July 15, 2010
July 15, 2010
I love you bro, I miss you so much.
July 15, 2010
July 15, 2010
Remember when we talked about getting a bass boat and naming it "three busters"...... how we laughed.
June 25, 2010
June 25, 2010
How can it be that you are not here with us?? God...I miss you man! Love, Sheen
June 3, 2010
June 3, 2010
Came to see you in the photos again today Dave. Don't want to feel sad anymore but can't help it. Words can't describe how much I miss you. We all do.
May 18, 2010
May 18, 2010
Dave, You would have called me today and said "What up Seth, It's your Birfday It's your Birfday
May 14, 2010
May 14, 2010
In omnia paratus (IN ALL THINGS PREPARED)
May 14, 2010
May 14, 2010
I love you bro. I miss you so much.
April 15, 2010
April 15, 2010
Thought I saw you today...sometimes reality really sucks!
April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
Brother,
    No one could ever take your place. My heart is so heavy today. I miss you Brother.
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Recent Tributes
August 10, 2023
August 10, 2023
14 years. Too soon brother, too soon. I love you, and hope you are celebrating with Mom. I miss you, and I love you.
August 10, 2022
August 10, 2022
13 years today, Diamond Dave. Still doesn't seem real. I look at your picture every day and wonder what we would be doing if you were here. You are loved and missed by so many.  Forever in our hearts and minds. - Sheen
December 26, 2021
December 26, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday Dave. Not a day goes by that you are not missed and thought about. I love you Brother. One day we will see each other again.
Recent stories

"Damn, did you just step on my sneakers?"

August 11, 2012

I was with Dave and few friends at the Tropical pub in Belmar.  In the group was a girl that we were trying to set Dave up with. 


Dave and I had been at the mall earlier in the day  and he picked up a nice pair of sneakers.  If you knew Dave, then you knew he always had to have white sneakers  and they always had to be clean.


It was a typical shore night, and there was a line of people to get into the Tropical, so we were waiting outside.  As usual in any line there was some bustling and people cutting through, well the girl we were trying to set Dave up with, moved out of the way for someone to cut through the line and she  stepped on Daves sneaker.  Dave looked like he had been slapped!  He looked at her and said , " Damn, did you just step on my sneakers?"  I couldnt believe it.  He started mumbling about how hard he works to buy "nice shit", and " nobody repects nothing."  I looked over at Cheryl and didnt know what to say . LMAO  He put his foot up on a post or something that was right there and started wiping the infintessimal smudge of his sneaker... 


Later on at the end of the night he said to me...."how do u think it went.?"  LOL


Damn, I miss yu so much man.         

February 23, 2011

I remember years ago taking Dave camping down in Delaware...we were roughing it alittle, weather wasnt great butwe had waterproof tents, warm clothing and lots of food.  There were public showers, my goodness we were at the beach...Memorial Weekend...anyway next morning off to the showers hes on one side me the other,him not knowing i could hear him talking to himself. Am I a little b or a man i hear him yell as he braves a cold shower, there was no hot water...lol. I had the best weekend...I will miss you very much peace my friend

The eyebrows!

December 21, 2010

Dave was constantly on me about trimming down my bushy eyebrows. He would say " Bro, you better trim them octopus eyebrows down, you want me to get the weed whacker out and trim"m up for ya?"  

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