Gary Lee DeShano, 79, of Gladwin, MI passed away unexpectedly at his home Friday, April 22, 2022. Gary was born at Mercy Hospital in Bay City, MI on April 4, 1943, the son of Wilferd and Leona (Karbowski) DeShano. He attended Catholic schools, St. Valentine’s School in Beaver, graduating with the Class of 1961 from St. Mary’s High School in Bay City, where he created many life-long friends.
Gary was the second oldest of 8 children, growing up on Garfield Rd. in Auburn, MI. Being the eldest son, Gary was in charge of the dairy cattle and helping his Dad with the farming.
Gary and Florence Rosolowski met in 1st grade at St. Valentine’s School, marrying January 23, 1965 on a very snowy day at St. Valentine’s Church in Beaver, MI. Gary worked at Dow Corning, did a bit of farming on the side, while also doing a bit of construction work, where he found his love.
In 1966, Gary and Florence started DeShano Homes in Bay City, living in the Auburn and Bay City area until settling in Gladwin in 1978. During this time in Gladwin, he was the owner and operator of DeShano Construction Co., DeShano Development Corp., and GLD Management Co., with Florence always by his side, either working or supporting his many ventures.
Gary valued hard work, honesty, and integrity…passing this on to his 3 children, 13 grandchildren, and now the 12 great grandchildren, with 2 more on the way. He was the “go-to-guy” in the family, extended family and beyond, humbly sharing his knowledge and wisdom.
Gary loved many sports, but his greatest passion was tennis, maybe closely followed by golf, then bicycling, skiing, and pickleball. In earlier years, horses played a major role in his life. He also had a great love for traveling, most recently to his beloved Jekyll Island, Georgia, enjoying its unspoiled beauty and quietness. He loved sunshine and blue skies and on many beautiful summer days he could be heard to say “Today I’m just happy to be alive!” When talking about people, he was also heard to say “If it’s not good, I don’t want to hear about it.”
Gary always loved being around his family, always getting a special twinkle in his eye when he’d see everyone coming through the door at Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays…or any event as there were many in these two large combined Polish, Catholic families! Dance recitals and grandchildren’s sporting events were special to this father and grandpa. Gary rarely needed a reminder as to whose birthday it was or where we were going. His siblings, as well as Florence’s family, held a special place in his heart.
Gary was involved with the Gladwin community by way of his DeShano Community Foundation, and with his beloved Auburn, being on the DDA board. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish.
No words can describe how our amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather will be missed. He touched each of our lives in his own quiet caring way, recognizing each as we came through the door. Family meant much to this unbelievable man who God blessed with much energy and a 48 hour day! We still marvel at how he did it.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Florence (Rosolowski) DeShano; their three children; sons: Scott (Sylvia) DeShano, Chad (Trisha) DeShano; daughter: Erin (Carl) Schuler, all of Gladwin, 13 grandchildren: Nick (Amanda) DeShano, Bay City, Jillian (James) Halliday, Midland, Brittany (Zac) Hawkins, Harrison, Alex Rhule, West Branch, Kaitlyn Wangler, Gladwin, Patrick Wangler, Gladwin, Madeline (Jeremiah) Merkel, Milton, Florida, Boone (Naeomi) DeShano, Gladwin, Sawyer DeShano, Gladwin, Suthern Schuler, East Lansing, Mersadies Schuler, Gladwin, Anthony Schuler, Chesterfield, MI, and Jasmyne Schuler, St. Clair Shores; 12 great grandchildren: Zane, Caden and Sage Rhule, Masen, Trapper and Cash Hawkins, Tobiah DeShano, Phinehas and Abilene Merkel, Hayden Halliday, Mirsyah Schuler, Parker Jance…and 2 more precious great grandchildren on the way.
Also surviving Gary are; sister: Renee (Lynn) Woodruff, Gladwin; brothers: Neil (Barb), Vern DeShano, and Randy (Renee) DeShano, all of Auburn; sisters-in-laws: Retha DeShano, West Branch, and Donna Klida (Auburn); Aunt Norma DeShano, Auburn, Uncle Eugene Karbowski, Auburn, many, many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends.
Also left to cherish Gary’s memory is Florence’s side of the family:
Vincent Rosolowski (Kawkawlin), Michael Rosolowski (Pinconning), Marge (Tom) Gillman, Bay City, Patricia Henning (Kawkawlin), Joseph (Alice) Rosolowski, Kawkawlin, Mary Purtill, Bay City. Eileen (Ted) Kaiser, Linwood, Joanne (Tim) Houghteling, Beaverton, Elizabeth (Robert) Wiedyk, Omer, Anne (Mike) Wackerle, Bay City, one very cherished niece Michelle Henning as well as many, many other nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents: Wilferd and Leona DeShano; sisters: Shirley Klida and Diane DeShano; brother: Tim DeShano; brother-in-law James Klida, and a special uncle, Jerry DeShano.
Also preceding Gary in death are his father and mother-in-law: Vincent and Florence Rosolowski; brothers and sisters-in-law: Agnes and Chet Manczak, Patricia Rosolowski, Janet and Robert Carrier, Terrence Henning, and Michael Purtill…and several nephews.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider doing an act of kindness to a neighbor, a stranger, or someone in need.
Visitation will be held at Hall Kokotovich Funeral Home at 440 E. Cedar Ave., Gladwin, on Thursday, April 28th from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 300 N. Silverleaf, Gladwin on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with family receiving guests beginning at 10:00 A.M.
“In QUIETNESS and CONFIDENCE shall be your STRENGTH.”
Isaiah 30:15
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