John McDermott

John McDermott, age 87, died September 10, 2025, at his home on Green Lake. He was born February 26, 1938, in Canton, Ohio, son of John and Beulah (Freeman) McDermott.
John attended Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio, on a sports scholarship, majoring in chemistry. Upon graduation he was hired by General Motors and remained with the company for 32 years, retiring as Director of Quality Control in 1992. During his senior year in college, he married Donna Frederick and they enjoyed a loving relationship for over 65 years and three wonderful children.
In 1961 John and Donna purchased a lot and built a home in the first subdivision on the outskirts of Grand Ledge, MI. Always up to a new challenge the couple undertook doing their own contracting and built a second home on the Grand River, just a mile from their first home. As a young family John and Donna spent many weekends tent camping at Interlochen State Park. In 1986 they traded camping for a cottage on Cedar Hedge Lake, near Interlochen. John's favorite activities were playing golf with his daughter and towing grandkids, nieces and nephews around the lake. Remaining active in retirement John enjoyed kayaking, canoeing, biking and skiing, along with membership in two golf leagues. He also loved reading (at least two books a week), pottery classes and visiting art museums all over the world.
John and Donna traveled extensively in six continents, 53 countries, all the US states and Canada's 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. In 1992 he and Donna became antique dealers and spent the next 10 years crossing the country, looking for antiques. The found treasures were on display at Wilson's Antiques. They also built another home - this one on Green Lake across from the Interlochen Center for the Arts where they enjoyed, volunteering, rehearsals and Sunday symphonies. John was active in the Interlochen Public Library, serving on the Board. He helped Oliver Art Center in Frankfort transition to its current location.
He was preceded in death by his son Michael Charles McDermott and brother Thomas McDermott.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Donna, his son John P. McDermott and daughter Sharon L. McDermott, his grandsons, Murphy Michael Hendy (Lewis Thelen), John P. McDermott (Rikki), and three great grandchildren, Preston, John P., and Ariel McDermott, and a clan of McDermott's near Canton, Ohio including sister-in-law, Evone Frederick.
The family will celebrate his life at a future date and he will be laid to rest beside his son Michael, who passed in 1982, in the family plot in Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge, MI.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Interlochen Public Library, 9411 10th Street, Interlochen, MI, 49643.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
www.beaconfh.com