Leroy “Peter D” Derusha
February 4, 1947 – January 23, 2025
Leroy Edwin Derusha, known to many as Peter D, passed away at home, in the house he designed and built, Thursday, January 23, early in the morning hours with his family and friends by his side.
Pete was born and raised in Newberry, Michigan and was the son of Leroy and Lotus Derusha. He was smack dab in the middle of 11 children, 10 handsome boys and 1 beautiful girl. He was a graduate of Newberry High School and in 1964 he married Shirley Taylor (Hokkanen). Together they had 2 sons, James Allan Derusha and Brian Michael Derusha, both of Traverse City.
In 1984 he transferred from the Newberry Regional Mental Health Center to Traverse City State Hospital and was promoted to the head of the Structural Maintenance Department. Traverse City is where he met and married a local girl, Jenelle Clark, on April 19, 1986. Together they built a beautiful farm in the Lake Ann area. He enjoyed nature and hunting, building and fixing things, neighbors visiting, family gatherings, and front porch sitting. He was also a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Peter D was a man of many talents. As a child, he worked on paper routes, Windy Hanson’s Farm during the summer, and anything to stay busy. He ran the first ambulance in Newberry, was a janitor for the Catholic school, welder, cement plant worker, equipment operator, house builder of many, fixer-upper of everything, farmer, gardener and horse trainer. You name it, he could and would get it done. He helped so many in his 77 years of life.
Pete is survived by his wife Jenelle Clark-Derusha; sons Brian Derusha (Laurie Emmett) and Jim Derusha; grandchildren Brandon Derusha (Emily Pavlich) and Delaney Derusha; great-grandchildren Stella, Theo, and Eily Derusha; siblings Charley Derusha (Bernie), Leslie Derusha (Kitty), Michael Derusha (Kathy), Skip Derusha, Mary Lou Hicks, Billy Derusha (Patty), Bob Derusha (Vicki), and Gary Derusha (Laura); sisters-in-law Sandy Derusha and Bev Derusha; and many very special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and great-great-great nieces and nephews. He had many dear friends in his life whom he also cherished.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Lotus Derusha; brothers Jack Derusha and Ron Derusha; brother-in-law Dr. Sam Hicks; sisters-in-law Winnie Derusha and Lori Derusha.
His niece, Ashley Niess, summed him up perfectly: “The man never met a stranger. If I ever took you home, he quickly became your Uncle Pete, as well! He loved babies, making people laugh, building things, and pie. I am forever thankful to have had 36 years with him, and time at the end to say goodbye. My life is better having known and been loved by him. Peter D, you will be missed big time.”
There will be a celebration of Peter D’s life Saturday, July 19, 2025 at noon at the Derusha Family Farm, 19897 Fowler Road, Lake Ann, MI 49650.
Liane H. Slosson
December 2, 1956 – February 7, 2025
Liane H. Slosson, 68, of Paradise, died suddenly Friday, February 7, 2025 at her residence.
Born December 2, 1956 in Alma, daughter of the late Richard and Shirley (Crutchfield) Cresswell, Liane was a graduate of St. Louis High School and graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit receiving a Master’s Degree in recreational therapy.
Liane was employed as a recreational therapist downstate and later in the Upper Peninsula for several years until her retirement. A seasonal resident of Paradise, Liane and her husband, Stephen, permanently retired to the area in 2005, moving from Lake Orion. Liane served as a librarian at Whitefish Township School and enjoyed reading, sewing, embroidery, spending time with her family, grandchildren and enjoyed outdoor adventures with her husband.
In addition to her parents, Liane is preceded in death by her siblings Tom Cresswell, Cara Cresswell, Candace Cresswell and Patricia Rosenberger.
Survivors include her loving husband, Stephen, of Paradise; children Jakob (Courtney) Slosson of Paradise and Cara (Aaron) Slosson-Casey of Beaverton, Oregon; grandchildren Niklas Slosson, Bryson Casey, Mila Casey and one to be expected; brother John (Laurie) Cresswell of St. Louis, Michigan; brother-in-law David Rosenberger of Virginia, along with her nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A gathering of family and friends celebrating the life of Liane will take place this summer, with a date and time to be announced.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Jeffrey Dale Lowry
August 3, 1957 – February 8, 2025
Jeffrey Dale Lowry, 67, of Lakefield Township, died Saturday evening February 8, 2025 at his residence in the presence of his loving family and the care of North Woods Home Care and Hospice.
Born August 3, 1957 in Manistique, son of the late Marion and Grace (Busch) Lowry, Jeff was a 1975 graduate of Newberry High School. Following high school, Jeff was employed for Max Macaulay in various positions and later at River Pines Nursing Home in Wisconsin in maintenance and delivering pharmaceutical supplies.
In the early 2000’s, Jeff moved back to Lakefield to take care of his father and was employed at Maple Ridge AFC Home in direct care and maintenance.
Jeff was a member of the McMillan Northwoods Seventh Day Adventist Church, serving on three mission trips, two to Alaska and one to Port au Prince, Haiti. He also assisted in the building of the churches located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and also the McMillan Northwoods Church.
Jeff enjoyed being with family, the outdoors, fishing, rock hunting, gardening, berry picking for homemade pies and board games.
Survivors include his loving wife, the former Cindy Nagy, whom he married February 27, 2011; brother Lemuel (Doreen) Lowry of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; children through marriage, Lisa (J.R.) Garrett of McMillan, Jessica Gould of Newberry and David (Tiffany) Metcalf of San Diego, California; 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sibling-in-laws Larry (Linda) Nagy of Prudenville, Jane (Howard) Lewis Prudenville and Daniel (Louise) Nagy of St. Helen; nephews Brandon Lowry, Nathan (Kim) Lowry and Jared (Lydia) Lowry; great-nephew Elliott Lowry and great-niece Sophia Lowry.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A memorial service celebrating the life of Jeff will be held at a later date, to be announced, at the McMillan Northwoods Seventh Day Adventist Church with interment at the Lowry family lot at West Lakefield Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a future designation in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
