Baird-Freeman Funeral Home

221 North Meridian Street

Portland, Indiana 47371

260-726-7171

bairdfreeman@yahoo.com

David R. Carlson AKA Carly, Deacon, Deac, age 80, of Portland passed away Wednesday September 24th, 2025 in Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 22, 1945 the son of Richard and Bertha (Bohl) Carlson. He married Sally Beard on November 5, 1967, who survives.

David helped run Western Auto with his family and was in Sales and Management. He was a 1963 Portland High School Graduate. He attended University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He was in the Komets Drum and Bugle Corp and played Taps for numerous funerals. He was in the United States Marine Corp and had a Tour of Duty in Vietnam. He was a Sargant and was honorably discharged. He helped countless homeless people in need whenever it occurred.

Surviving is his wife Sally Carlson of Portland, 3 nieces Lora Jefferson, Jeana Clayton (husband David), Sheila Tyndall and 1 great niece Kenzie Clayton. He was preceded in death by  sisters and brother in laws Donna  and Jim Tyndall and Judith and Rick Knight, nephew in law Rick Jefferson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday October 4th at 1:00 pm in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Hugh Kelly presiding. Burial will follow in the Green Park Cemetery with military graveside honors by American Legion Post #211. Visitation will be from 11:00-1:00 PM. Memorials can be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Jay County Humane Society, Museum of the Solider, and Jay County Historical Society.

Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com