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Ron G. Derouin

RAPID RIVER — Ron G. Derouin, age 69, of Rapid River, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at home with his family by his side.

Ron was born on October 17, 1952, in Escanaba, the son of Richard and Mary Ann (Knaus) Derouin. Ron lived in Escanaba and attended Escanaba Area Schools. He later moved to Gladstone after marrying his wife, the former Jill Burroughs, on March 8, 1981. Together they spent 40 wonderful years before Jill’s passing in December of 2021.

After high school, Ron served in the United States Army before being honorably discharged. He then worked for Harnischfeger and Northern Rebuilders before working and retiring from the Joseph H. Thompson ore boat.

Ron was a talented guitar player, loved working on cars, mowing his lawn, and swimming at the lake. He especially loved exploring the beaches near Jess and Shane’s home in Australia. He would always be found on the weekends, during the fall, watching his beloved Michigan Wolverines and Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed watching the sunset out at his cottage with a good Old Fashioned or Busch Lite. He kept his family and friends laughing whenever he was around. Ron was a wonderful man with a good heart who loved life and the simplicity of things. He radiated positivity and was well known for his “can do” attitude. His favorite saying was “I’m here for a good time, not a long time” Not many can say they enjoyed life as much as he did and his time here was way too short. He will be dearly missed by so many.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Jessica Branam; son-in-law, Shane Branam; mother, Mary Ann Derouin; sister, Wanda Frossard; brother, Mike Derouin (Lori Peterson); brothers-in-law, Glen Olsen, John (Marsha) Burroughs, Don Timler, Jim (Jan) Burroughs, and Mike Arbour; sister-in-law, Karen Derouin; good friend Dan “Turtle” Johnson, and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jill Derouin; father, Richard Derouin; brother, Cook Derouin; sister, Sallie Timler; brother-in-law, Jim Frossard; sisters-in-law, Judy Olsen and Janet Arbour; and parents-in-law, Mary and Jack Burroughs.

Ron’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at OSF Escanaba, Green Bay Oncology, and UPHS Hospice for their excellent care and continued support.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the family home in Stonington on August 14 from 12 to 6 p.m. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Derouin family. For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.