Bernard "Bernie" Paul DeRoche

Limestone

Bernard “Bernie” Paul DeRoche, age 66, of Limestone, died following a brief illness on Saturday afternoon, March 16, 2019 at UPHS Marquette.  He was born in Marquette, Michigan on October 2, 1952 to the late Bernard and Shirley (Boucher) DeRoche.  Growing up in Marquette, Bernie and his family were members of St. Michael Church and he attended Bishop Baraga and Marquette High Schools.  Bernie graduated in the Class of 1970.  He worked for Elson Bottling Works and delivered Coca-Cola products in the central Upper Peninsula.  Bernie then served for six years in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He was stationed in California, Hawaii, and at the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.  It was in Rock Island where he met Lynn Abrahamson.  They were married in Minnesota on August 20, 1977.  After Bernie was discharged from the USMC, he attended St. Ambrose College.  He and Lynn moved to New Jersey and Bernie attended the Community College of Morris County.  They returned to Iowa and Bernie was a truck driver for an agricultural chemical company.   In his heart, Bernie always knew he would retire to the Upper Peninsula.  When Lynn retired, they moved to Limestone where Bernie enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, and feeding the deer.  He was a wonderful cook and enjoyed taking care of Lynn.

He is survived by his wife of over forty-one years – Lynn DeRoche of Limestone, MI; siblings – John DeRoche of Marquette, MI, Marie (Al) Madsen of Lino Lakes, MN, Tom (Vinna) DeRoche of Harvey, MI, Bill (Jodi) DeRoche of Shoreview, MN, Cathy (Jerry) Velasquez of Gwinn, MI, Bob (Teresa) DeRoche of Rochester, MN, and Joe (Josie) DeRoche of Buckeye, AZ; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Bernie was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Shirley DeRoche and his in-laws Harvey and Ruth Abrahamson.

Services will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Friday, March 22, 2019.  Visitation will be from noon until 3:00 p.m.  Father Greg Heikkala, Pastor of St. Michael Church, will conduct Bernie’s funeral service in the funeral home’s chapel at 3:00 p.m.  Interment will be at the Limestone Township Cemetery in the spring where the American Legion, Vietnam Veteran, and Marine Corps Honor Guard will conduct military honors on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.