Obituary: Daniel J. Belopavlovich

As received from the Ryan Funeral Home:

Lake Linden – Daniel Joseph Belopavlovich, aged 92, went home to be with the Lord on the evening of April 13, 2023. He was a resident of Medilodge in Cheboygan, Michigan at the time of his death, having recently moved there to be near his children as his health declined. For the previous 65 years, he had made his home in Lake Linden, Michigan. Dan was born on September 3, 1930 in New Allouez, Michigan, to Nicholas and Mary (Damjanovich) Belopavlovich, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Lake Linden – Hubbell High School in 1949. Dan served in the U.S. Army for two years, then worked for Calumet and Hecla as a chemist for several years, until starting his own sign business in 1964. He ran his business until he was 90, only selling the company two years ago. In addition to his professional life, Dan was an avid musician, playing guitar, mandolin and several other instruments, all self taught. When he was 19, Dan and three friends created a band called “The Northern String Kings”. He was also well known locally, for the Croatian music he played with brothers Mike and Paul. Dan also enjoyed buying, selling, and repairing instruments as a hobby. He married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” O’Brien, on August 2, 1958. They celebrated sixty years of marriage just before her passing on October 7, 2018. Dan was also preceded in death by his six siblings: Mary, Nick, Peter, John, Mike and Paul, his grandson, Timothy Jewell, and his Godson, Robert Belopavlovich. Dan is survived by his four children, Gregory Belopavlovich, Ann Luft, Colleen (George) Jewell and Patricia Belopavlovich, as well as six grandchildren: Daniel, Craig and Brent Luft; Jacob (Valerie), Sarah and Ryan (Chelsea) Jewell. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 5^th at the Ryan Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Parish Prayers scheduled for 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden on Saturday, May 6^th at 9:30 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Raju Jose to officiate. If family or friends wish to make a charitable donation in Dan’s honor, a contribution to Right to Life of Michigan would be greatly appreciated, as this was a cause close to Dan’s heart.