Donald Duane Detzler, age 90, of Gaylord, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
He was born to Joseph and Gladys (Kunath) Detzler on October 9, 1931, in Vanderbilt, Michigan.
Don worked at Standard Products for 40 ½ years as a press set-up man and served as the steward, vice-president, and president of the Union. In his early years, he was an avid baseball player, bowler, and hunter. He served on the Vanderbilt School Board and was an Eagle member. Over the years, Don enjoyed woodworking and had built more than 10 homes with his boys.
During the 26 years after retiring, Don and his wife, Ruth, spent the winter months in Sarasota, FL, where Don remodeled coaches and participated in fundraising events for the park they lived in. He also enjoyed park activities such as shuffleboard, hootenannies, and games of Texas Hold ‘em.
Most importantly, Don loved the holidays, spending time with all of his family, and the Detroit Tigers.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 40 years, Freida (Guerin) in 1988; his granddaughter, Dena; his great-granddaughter, Samantha; and his great-grandson, Zachary.
He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ruth (Kalchik); children, Donald Detzler of Gaylord, MI, Darrel (Linda) Detzler of Kaleva, MI, Duane (Dawn) Detzler of Gaylord, MI, and Deb (Dan) Winowiecki of Gaylord, MI; stepdaughter, Pat Hart of Red Hook, NY; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Cathedral, American Heart Association, or the ALS Foundation, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735. Visitation will begin on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The service will be live-streamed through the Nelson Funeral Home Facebook page and can be located by following the link provided below Don’s picture.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
22 comments on “Donald D. Detzler”
Oh, a sad moment for everyone. My heart goes out to Ruth and the entire Detzler Family. Many fond memories of Uncle Don throughout the years growing up and the fun times spent with my parents and family. Uncle Don will be greatly missed and always fondly remembered.
Thank you so much!!! You guys were great neighbors!
Our neighborly condolences to the family of Don. May he rest in peace.
I love you so much grandpa, I will miss you forever, until we meet again some day!
Good bye Old Standard Product friend Richard Townsend
Farewell My Standard Products friend ! Richard Townsend .!
Prayers for the Detzler family. From the Northland Sportsmen’s club. Remembering a very nice gentleman.
I love you grandpa, we will all miss you so much! You taught all of us so many things and we could always count on you for whatever we needed! Until we meet again some day
To Ruth, Don’s children and grandchildren — We are so sorry to learn of the passing of our long time neighbor. Please know that all of you are being remembered in our thoughts and prayers.
Ruth and family, I am so sorry for the loss of Don. He was a good man and a hard worker, always a gentleman. A great friend of my husband and I. He was my cousin, he will be missed by all. He was a keeper. Just remember all the good times you all have had together, it will help to comfort you. The memories will live forever in your hearts.
I knew Don quite well, we worked together for several years before he retired. He was a good teacher, and I learned a lot from him. He was a fine man with a great sense of humor and marvelous wit. My condolences to his family and especially his wife Ruth. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Ruth, My condolences to you and Patty and the entire Detzler family. Though I never had the opportunity to meet him, It sounds like Don was a very nice man and of course a wonderful husband to you. May he rest in peace.
Our condolences Ruth and family.
Don, A sweet and gentle soul he was, always a smile and a kind word to say. As a member of the Early Bird garage sale bunch, we always expected a great conversation with Don before the sale even began. It was a time for us to “catch up”. Those great memories made will forever last and be remembered. We will miss you our friend but meet again in heaven.
Uncle Don, we will all miss you. Do you have your wings? Say hi to Aunt Frieda for me, we had a lot of fun when we were kids over at your house.
Prayers to my cousins. Love you all, may you rest in peace.
May the peace and love of God be bestowed upon all the friends and family of Don at this moment, God bless.
Sorry to hear about your loss. We always had good times in Florida and when we saw you up north.
Ruth, I was saddened to read of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Thank you Don – I know you know what I am going through.
We met Don and Ruth Detzler at the start of our retirement to Florida winters in Venetian Park Estates.
What a wonderful gift that was!
Great friends, great shufflers, great fixers, great people to know and love.
What a great 20+ years that was!
Joey and Keith Glazier
Thank you my Dear Friends of many years.
I worked with Don at Standard Products/ Cooper Standard many years ago. He was such a nice guy. No matter what needed to be done he was always willing to help. He was also a great Union leader & helped to improve the working conditions at the shop. His great sense of humor & diplomacy made him very effective in his Union positions. My deepest condolences to his family. May your memories bring you peace.
Love ya gramps! I truly appreciate all the time we got to spend with you. I’ll admit I took it pretty hard!! You were my guy! I wish I could bring Aubrey home one last summer and you could charge her .75 for a hoola hoop(even though she got 3) Or watching you tell grandma you wouldn’t climb on the roof to look for leaks and her telling me to watch you. (That grin you gave me when she left) you were like 82 years old but I bet you could have done it. Everything you did for me, not only cause grandma told you to, I think you enjoyed it!!! I remember running into your arms after throwing a strike! You were probably on your lunch break or something not of the time. The joy in your eye when I gave you oneof my rings for your birthday( I had so many) but it was awesome to you! The way you protected me the night grandma died! (I’ll never forget that) The things you did for your family without question! You sir are what people should strive to be. I love you so much!
I’ll see you on the other side
If I make it
And it might be long hard ride
But I’m going to take it