by Dean Holden

Dean Luce of Farwell, Mich., passed away on Tuesday (Sept. 20) at Woodland Hospice surrounded by his family. He was 78.

Luce was born in Farwell on May 7, 1938 to Don and Genevieve (Schofield) Luce. He graduated from Farwell High School where he was a four-sport letter winner, President of the Glee Club, and a participant in class plays. Luce attended Michigan State University on a baseball scholarship and continued his education at Central Michigan University. Farwell was always his home.

Luce married his high school sweetheart, Lois Thomas, on April 28, 1956. Together they had five children and nineteen years of marriage. They remained close friends throughout his life.

On Aug. 20, 1984, Luce married Pam (Lyle) Norbury, beginning a new chapter of his life that included her three children. Together they enjoyed the Detroit Tigers, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and long country drives looking for a great slice of pie.

Luce’s career path included teaching and coaching at Farwell. When he ran into those students later in life, he would often stop to share a memory. Among other endeavors, he also worked for Dow Chemical, Luce’s Real Estate, and Byler Builders. He had a special relationship with the Amish community; particularly Will, Harvey, and Jr. Byler, and Allen Yoder.

Throughout Luce’s life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, bowling, and over 50 years of harness racing as an owner, breeder, and trainer. He shared these interests with his great friends, Dave Furman and Ed Loomis, and they had many wonderful memories. Nothing made him happier than enjoying these pastimes with his son, Mike.

Luce was a longtime member of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association and the United States Trotting Association. Ultimately, he helped to establish and operate Winwood Farm with his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Dawne Luce.

Luce is survived by his wife, Pam; her children Deb (Scott) Lutz of Clare, Kim (Kevin) Vaughan of Farwell, and Jeff (Melissa) Norbury of Farwell; his children Kay (Jason) Kelley of Petoskey, Cheryl (Paul) Smith of Harrison, Teresa (Clyde) Maddox of Baltic, Ohio, Mary Lee (Kevin) Humphreys of Farwell, Mike (Dawne) Luce of Farwell and their mother, Lois Grant; his brother Al Luce, twenty-one grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Mary (Luce) Manee.

Funeral services for Luce will be held Saturday (Sept. 24) at 11:00 a.m. at Campbell-Stocking Funeral Home in Farwell. Visitation was on Friday (Sept. 23) from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the Dean Luce Triple A Scholarship Fund. Contact Campbell-Stocking Funeral Home at (989)-588-4541