Arthur ‘Art’ J. DeGrand

He was born in Escanaba on Dec. 7, 1927, the son of John and Sylvia (Duchaine) DeGrand. He was a life-long resident of Escanaba.

Art attended St. Anne’s Grade School and Escanaba High School.

On, Aug. 28, 1948, Arthur married Jeanette Chernick at St. Joseph’s Church in Escanaba. Together they celebrated 69 years of marriage and raised their two children.

At the age of 18, Art began building homes in Escanaba and soon developed many area subdivisions. He expanded his home building business into DeGrand Construction and soon began multiple construction jobs throughout the area. He continued to develop subdivisions and he and Jean together purchased 120 acres on Gladstone’s Bluff. In 1988 Oak Bluff Estates Mobile Home Park & Royal Oak Estates Subdivision was developed.

They also constructed the South Hill Storage Units. Throughout his life Art continued to be very active and involved in overseeing his businesses.

Art loved to hunt deer and birds, go fishing, participate in any outdoor activity but most of all, he loved spending time at his camp with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Jean loved to take cruises and had the pleasure of seeing many states and countries throughout the years. They also had a camp in Canada which they frequented often and Art enjoyed moose hunting while there.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed!

He was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his wife, Jeanette, he is survived by his children, Sheila (Allen) Hansen and Rod (Gloria) DeGrand, all of Escanaba; grandchildren, Corey (Sarah) Hansen, Brad (Kelly) Hansen, Jason (Trisha) DeGrand, Jamie (Vicki) DeGrand, Jeremy (Stephanie) DeGrand, and Joe DeGrand; great-grandchildren, Landen, Ivy, Autumn, Reagan, Nicholas, Olivia, Timmy and Levi; and several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by parents and brother, George DeGrand; and sisters, Sarah Cline and Bernice DuPont.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 14, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Anne’s Church at 6 p.m. with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at crawfordfuneralhomes.net

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the DeGrand family.