Bernard J. "Bernie" DeBeau

DeBeau, Bernard J. "Bernie" Merrill, Michigan Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law and uncle, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 28, 2014, at the age of 75 years. Bernie was born May 6, 1939, in Merrill, the son of the late Henry Joseph and Eleanor (Borucki) DeBeau. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Merrill, with the Class of 1957. He later received an Associate Degree from Saginaw Business Institute. He retired from Delphi (Formerly Saginaw Steering Gear) in 2001, after 43 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Merrill, now St. John XXIII Parish. Bernie was a member of Jonesfield Lakefield Fire and Rescue Unit. He was an avid baseball fan, coaching Little League Baseball for 28 years and umpiring Men's Softball for 10 years. He attended Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, in 1958-1959, and was an avid Detroit Tigers Fan. Bernie was also an avid golfer, golfing in many leagues. He dearly loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He married Mary L. McClintic on May 7, 1960 at St. Patrick Parish in Ryan. She survives him. He also leaves four sons, two daughters and their spouses, Michael and Teresa DeBeau, Merrill, Marlene Dehner, Alma, Karen and M.J. Johnson, Breckenridge, David and Roxann DeBeau, Merrill, Jim and Penny DeBeau, Merrill, William and Chris DeBeau, Coldwater; seventeen grandchildren, Alexandra and Margaret DeBeau, Molly (Ed) Wendling, Marcus Doan and special friend, Kelli Norrington, Miranda Doan and fianc Sam Bigelow, Meagan and Mason Dehner, Kelly Johnson and special friend, Paul Breasbois, Kayla and Michelle Johnson, Austyn and Dustin DeBeau, Hunter, Cody and Jacob DeBeau, Makayla Bendele and Maren DeBeau; one great-grandson, E.J. Wendling. He was predeceased by three sisters, an infant, Joan DeBeau, Dorothy DeShone and Mary Kay Roggow. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harlan DeShone, Kenneth Roggow, Laura and Gilbert Crooks, Joan and John Smolka, Bill McClintic and special friend Julie Hall, Shirley Bourdow and special friend Gene Jacobs, Dorothy and Glen O'Boyle, Carol and Ray Gross, Peg and Dean Mayle, and Neva Ostrander; many nieces, nephews and their families. He was also predeceased by a sister-in-law, Dianne McClintic. Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2014, at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 419 S. Midland Street, Merrill. Rev. Fr. Duane Wachowiak will officiate with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Bernie's family will receive friends at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw Street, Merrill, from 2:00 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday and on Thursday, where a parish vigil service will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. Family and friends may then gather at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Merrill High School Baseball Team or the family's wishes. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
125 East Saginaw Street
Merrill, MI
United States 48637