Michael David Dermanelian

With his wife at his side, Michael David Dermanelian, 68, passed away on September 10 th at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona after a brief battle with cancer. Michael was the first of five children born to Shirley J. and David H.T. Dermanelian. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, but raised in Dundee Michigan. Michael graduated from Dundee High School with the class of 1976. Michael enjoyed lettering in football, swimming and baseball. Stories about how he taught skittish schoolboys how to swim at the school pool are legendary, done the “old school” way. 

Michael married his high school sweetheart, Margie (McGuire), in June of 1981 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Milan, MI before moving to Texas. Michael worked in automotive repair and medical services and sales. Over the years and several moves throughout TX and IN, Margie and Michael were blessed with four beautiful daughters: Michaela, Miranda, McKenize and Marissa. Tragedy struck in late 2006 in Indiana when Margie was killed by a drunk driver. 

Michael moved to Scottsdale, AZ with McKenzie and Marissa. Once re-established, Michael married Ann (Schulte) from Reese, MI in 2008. Michael continued to provide critical medical equipment services to hospitals throughout AZ, NV and CA. Michael was an expert at matching the needs of each hospital with the highest valued medical equipment. After 17 years with Fitzsimmons Hospital Services, Michael retired on July 1st. Like his father, Michael was passionate about hunting, especially deer hunting. As a gifted and entertaining storyteller, Michael’s stories from his early hunting experiences in northern Michigan during the 1960s and 70s were mesmerizing and reflected his deep love of the woods and its residents. 

One of Michael’s crowning hunting achievements occurred in 2014 when he arrowed a large bull elk in the Idaho mountains; he’s still grinning about that experience with his dad, brother and sister. Michael was also a “numbers guy” who followed baseball statistics. He gambled responsibly and often walked away from craps’ tables with a grin and pocketful of chips. Early mornings in Arizona, Michael could be found hiking Camelback Mountain with his father or playing euchre and cribbage in the afternoon. 

Michael loved his family and followed the life events of his daughters, grandchildren, and friends with great interest. 

Michael was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, nephew, friend, colleague, hunter, and man of strong Christian faith. In addition to Margie, Michael was preceded in death by his daughter Miranda, his mother and father Shirley and David H.T. Dermanelian, and sister Jeri Anne. Michael is survived by his devoted wife Ann; daughters Michaela (Tyler), McKenzie (Ryan), Marissa; grandchildren Payten, Nolan, Rhett, Morgan, Jalynne, and Cameron; siblings Dawn Marie (Dennis), Elizabeth (Sandy), and David (Michelle); brother in law Arthur; along with many nieces and nephews. 

On October 17th, a funeral mass will be offered at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Milan, MI. Internment will immediately follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee, MI followed by a wake luncheon back at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, our family requests that expressions of sympathy be offered by donating to a local animal shelter near you.