John Raymond Detzler ,94, of Clearwater, passed away peacefully of natural causes into the next life.

John was born in Mancelona, Michigan, a son of the late John A. Detzler and Anna Gesiger Detzler.

A loyal servant of the Lord and fervent follower of the Catholic faith, his life was a shining example to his family and to all who knew him.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Betty Louise Detzler, his brothers: Donald and Victor Detzler , two sisters: Josephine James and Alice, and two Sons: Roger Dean Detzler and Thomas James Detzler.

He is survived by his two sisters: Virginia Lumbert and Mary Chapman, two sons: Dale Detzler and John Richard Detzler two daughters,:Donna Ann Beasley and Mary Beth Detzler, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great- great grandchildren.

The family eventually moved to Mount Pleasant Michigan where Dad grew up. Dad moved to Dearborn, Michigan to work at Ford Motor company before joining the United States Navy in 1943 as a motor machinist mate. He served Stateside and in the Pacific Theater.

After the war, dad went to work as an auto mechanic in metro Detroit, eventually working his way up to service advisor and service manager for several Ford dealers in  the Detroit metro area. Our first home was in Riverview, Michigan where we lived prior to moving to St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Around 1965 our parents took a trip to Florida, followed by a cruise to the Bahamas which provided them with many beautiful memories. A few years later ,our parents relocated the family to Largo, Florida and eventually Ormond Beach ,Florida until deciding to move back to the Detroit metro area around 1972. Dad continued his career as a service manager until his retirement in the late 1980s. s

Shortly after retiring, mom and dad returned to Clearwater ,Florida to be closer to family and enjoy the warm weather. In 1996, Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dad was a proud member of the local VFW, where we enjoyed many Friday night fish fries. Dad was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Dad’s hobby was buying and repairing used cars and reselling them. He could pretty much fix or repair anything around the house. His proudest achievement was raising his six children as members of the Catholic Church. Mom and dad moved to Clearwater, Florida permanently after retiring the first time in the late 1980s. After Mom’s death in 1996, dad enjoyed living and socializing with his neighbors at Alcove mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida.He served on the board of directors for several years. He looked forward always to attending Mass regularly, even up to his latest health problems prior to his death. Dad was a self-made, self taught and self-educated man who always strived to better himself and his family. Dad and mom always tried to instill in their children the highest moral and spiritual values, respect and consideration for others. I was always proud to call him my dad.

A memorial mass will be held  at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 31, 2016,  at the Light of Christ Catholic Church, 2176 Marilyn Street, Clearwater, Florida 33765. Father Bill Wilson will be officiating.

Interment will be at held at Curlew Hills Memory Garden at 11:15 A.M.. Military rites will be rendered.