Donald Merle Marlatt

December 23, 1934 - October 14, 2021

Donald Merle Marlatt, age 86, of DeTour, Michigan, died on October 14, 2021, at Harborview Assisted Living. He was born on December 23, 1934, in Hartville, Ohio, to Merlin Guy and Nellie Pauline (Patton) Marlatt. Don grew up in Afton, Michigan, before the family moved to River Rouge, Michigan, where he attended River Rouge Area Schools. He met Helen J. Bertchinger in 1953. They married on July 23, 1955, in Dearborn, Michigan. Don then served in the United States Army for a year before returning home to his family. They raised two children while Don worked for General Motors. In 1988, Don retired and they moved the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Since then he was the local gunsmith and volunteered for the DeTour Ambulance for over thirty years. Don was a member of the DeTour Fire Department and a forty-year member of the Masons; Worshipful Master of Ancient Craft #567 in 1984 & Les Cheneaux #590 in 1995-1998. Don loved guns, enjoyed watching westerns and cowboy movies, especially John Wayne movies. More than anything he loved and cherished his grandkids. Don is survived by his wife, Helen Marlatt of DeTour; son, Jeffery (Mary) Marlatt of Raber, Michigan; daughter, Donna (Greg) Broniak of Oxford, Michigan; grandchildren, Michael Marlatt, Lindsay (Ryan) Burk, Cynthia Marlatt, and Kristen Broniak; great-grandchildren, Max Marlatt and Kinley Bryant; and beloved nephew, Doug Marlatt of Hale, Michigan. Don is preceded in death by his sisters, Betty (Paul) Fox and Marlene (Bill) Hughey; brother, Vernon Marlatt; sister-in-law, Shirley (Irv) Straus; brothers-in-law, Houston "Mort" (Ann) Morton and Ronald "Bud" Morton. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be made to the DeTour Ambulance Corp., 260 Superior St. P.O. Box 397, Detour Village, MI 49725 Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.