Raymond Joseph DeRoche, 87, of 2004 Bancroft Street, Marquette, entered eternal life Thursday evening, December 1, 2005, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where he had resided since June.
Ray was born February 14, 1918 in the North Lake Location of Ishpeming, a son of Frederick and Anna (Verville) DeRoche. He grew up in Ely Township and attended the Ishpeming High School. On July 1, 1940 he enlisted in the US Army’s Mechanical Division, later transferring to the US Air Force in 1942. He graduated as a cadet with pilot wings in May 1943. Ray served as part of the 5th Air Force 33rd Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group, known as the “Red Raiders”, flying 54 missions in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of operations, aboard B24’s and B25’s. He was honorably discharged in June 1945, having received the Air Defense Medal and Air Medal with 2 clusters. Ray continued his military obligation by serving in the Air Force Reserve from 1945 to 1957. When Ray returned home, he and Stan Long set up a flight school in Marquette County and Munising. He later managed the Munising office. Ray then embarked upon another career and managed Cyr Bottle Gas in Munising for over 20 years, prior to his retirement. In his leisure, Ray enjoyed fishing, boating, and hunting. He was a former member of St. Christopher Catholic Church, currently a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, and was a member of the Richard Jopling Post #44 of the American Legion.
Survivors include:
His wife, Helen (Hilgers) DeRoche, whom he married December 19, 1942 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia, CA
Three daughters: Virginia “Ginny” (Daniel) DeRoche-Mattson of Ishpeming; Christine DeRoche of Ashford, WA; and Mary Claire DeRoche of Mesa, AZ
Son: Frederick (Jeanne) DeRoche of Plymouth
Grandchildren: Krista and Joshua Bryant and Sean and Kate DeRoche
Sister: Beulah LaFave of Owosso
Two sisters-in-law: Marie and Agnes Hilgers of Houghton
Numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eleanor, Beatrice, June, and Jeanne; and brothers, Roy, Lawrence, Ernest, Myles, and Robert.
Due to construction at St. Michael Church, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 14, at 2:00 pm with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick as celebrant. The family will receive relatives and friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall following mass. Inurnment will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum.
The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 401 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, or the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans Patient Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.
