Michael Lee Dermyer

Michael Lee Dermyer, age 70, of Baldwin, previously of Brooklyn, Mich., passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Tecumseh, Mich., to Frederick and Virginia (Dwyer) Dermyer. Mike proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a Vietnam veteran. Following his time in the Navy, Mike chose to continue serving others, this time as a law enforcement officer. Mike spent a total of 44 years in law enforcement. He started out walking the beat in Detroit before being promoted to patrol, then detective and continued to serve the community as an undercover narcotics officer and homicide detective. After leaving Detroit, Mike served the community of Columbia Township as chief of police before finally retiring as the undersheriff of Lake County.

For those of you who knew Mike, or “Mickey” as he was affectionately known by close friends and family, knew his love for telling stories. You may have heard about the time he and one of his brothers set the woods on fire around the family home with paper airplanes and a camp fire. How about when he convinced one of his sisters that there was a difference between winter air and summer air in her car tires? What about his first motorcycle, or as others tell, his first moped that he rode while fully decked out in leather jacket, helmet and combat boots. He also often told the story of him and his brother putting their father’s car through the ice on Clark Lake. Whatever the story, Mickey lived an exciting life, never missing an adventure or an opportunity to create a new story to be told later on down the road.

Mike is survived by his wife, Betty; his mother, Virginia (Dave) Hoffman; his children, Michelle Dermyer, Angel (Albert) Barker, Christin (Bernie) Smith, Jennifer (Tim) Porter, Melanie (Eric) Devine, Eric Estrada, Patrick (Tonya) Dermyer and Devin (Alisha) Dermyer; 22 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his siblings, Joan (Phil) Davis, Ed (Jenny) Dermyer, Fred (Debbie) Dermyer, Anita (George) Nagel, Freida Dermyer, Martha Dermyer, John (Chris) Dermyer, Claire (Tony) Colburn, Deann (Mike) Mattis and Rose Wallace; and sisters-in law, Patty Dermyer and Betty Dermyer.

Mike was preceded in death by his father; his grandmother, Ruth DeRousie; his aunt, Phyllis (Carl) Nelson; two brothers, Bobby and Donnie Dermyer and two nephews, Tori and Chad Dermyer.

A memorial service will be held in his honor Saturday June 4, 2016, at St. Ann’s Church in Baldwin, Mich. Family will greet visitors for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service. Per Mike’s request, family is asking that this be a casual event – no suits/dress clothes. A party will follow at the AmVets Post 1988, 1959 W. 24th St., Baldwin, MI 49304. Interment will be in Fort Custer Cemetery, Battle Creek, Mich.

Those who wish to make a donation in Mike’s name may do so to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) www.nationalcops.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Verdun Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Baldwin, Mich. (231-745-4680).

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