Deric (Frederick) H. Garnell

He was born on December 20, 1941, in Hancock, 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, and 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 until 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 No. 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 was held at 1 p.m. ,Monday, January 24, 2022, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. Bucky Beach officiating. Spring burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery.

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 memorialchapel.net.