Daniel 'Dan' Bernard DeMerse, age 75, of Marquette and Detour, Mich., died on Dec. 29 at his home.. He was born on March 19, 1949, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to Bernard and Olivia “Marie” (McCoy) DeMerse.
Dan grew up on Sugar Island and attended Sault Area High School. He joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Dan returned to Sault Ste. Marie and worked for a few years as a roofer. He then began his career on the Great Lakes Freighters “boats” for 39 years, contributing immensely to the entire fleet as an Ordinary Seaman, Conveyor Man, Oiler, and ultimately Chief Engineer. He relished the opportunity to work on the boats in the fleet; however, his favorite boat was always the Charles M. Beeghly (now the M/V Hon. James Oberstar). He retired on April 1, 2015. Despite his retirement, Dan was the consummate worker, tinkering in his garage, his property on the Peshekee Grade, and of course anywhere someone needed a hand.
Dan was a member of the Wilderness Pentecostal Tabernacle Church of God in Detour.
Dan enjoyed being outdoors in his favorite place at camp on the Peshekee Grade that he constructed by hand with his wife Robin, and later finished with Janet. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
Dan is survived by his wife, Janet; son, Shawn (Elizabeth) DeMerse of Celina, Texas; stepchildren, Crystal Zalewski and Jodi (Jeremy) Vredenburg, both of Detour, Michigan; granddaughter, Mykala; sisters, Juanita “Punky” (James) Hill of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Nancy (Clyde) Ellison of Colorado, and Jane Boyer of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; a niece; and many nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Robin; parents, Bernard and Olivia; grandsons, Cameron and Connor DeMerse; and brother-in-law, Marvin Boyer.
Visitation will be held on Jan. 2, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Dan’s honor to Wilderness Pentecostal Tabernacle Church of God, P.O. Box 6, Detour Village, Mich. and Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MIich.49783.
Dan’s final resting place will be with his parents and wife, Robin, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Raco, Mich.
Burial will occur in the Spring of 2025.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
