Obituary: Deric Garnell

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Deric (Frederick) H. Garnell, 80, a resident of Hancock and formerly of Oskar, passed away Friday, January 14, 2022, at the Omega House in Houghton following a struggle with Cancer.

He was born on December 20, 1941, in Hancock, MI, the only child and son of the late Henry and Sigrid (Hietala) Garnell. Deric spent his childhood on the family dairy farm in Oskar attending the Oskar, Redridge, & Liminga Schools before graduating from the Houghton High School with the class of 1960. He then attended Soumi College and graduated from Northern Michigan University with honors in Secondary Education.

Mr. Garnell taught three years in junior high in the Chesaning Union Schools before joining the Peace Corps in Korea. He served as a volunteer and then was assistant project director for the Peace Corps Korea training programs in Hilo, Hawaii, Brattleboro, Vermont along with the country of Korea till 1974. He then worked in Traverse City as a production expeditor for Cone Drive Gears.

In 1980, he returned to the Copper Country to be near his parents and worked as an apprentice carpenter and landscaper. In 1985, Deric began his career in the banking field first for D&N Bank serving in various positions in the mortgage and consumer lending departments. After 15 years he joined Midwest Loan Services, Inc. in the customer service department retiring in 2014.

Deric enjoyed helping and volunteering, he served many years as a Big Brother, in various positions of Aid Association for Lutherans Branch #4843, different committees of the local Habitat for Humanity and was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church serving on the church council. He also enjoyed gardening, traveling the world, landscaping projects, jogging and the Orient.

Deric is survived by his four first cousins and numerous other cousins and many friends.

A memorial service for Deric will be held 1:00 pm Monday, January 24, 2022, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. Bucky Beach to officiate.

Friends may call on Monday, January 24, 2022, from 12noon until time of services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Graveside services will be held 12 noon Monday, June 20, 2022, at the Oskar Cemetery with Rev. Bucky Beach to officiate. A celebration of Deric’s life will follow at 1:00 pm at the Marsin Center on the Houghton Canal.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial donations made in Deric’s name be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Houghton, 1100 College Ave., Houghton, MI 49931 or to the Omega House 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931.

To view Deric’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements