Dell Ahlich

Dell Ahlich

Dell F. Ahlich, a longtime St. Ignace area businessman, was a World War II veteran who worked as an oiler and fireman on the Michigan State Ferries for a few months before entering the United States Navy. He also worked for 40 years as an insurance agent for Cheeseman Insurance of St. Ignace, working for Henry and Greg Cheeseman before his 1985 retirement. Described by friends and family as a person who loved the history of St. Ignace and its families, Mr. Ahlich was known locally as a family history resource. Many would call on him to obtain details about their family history, as he often could quickly recall family information through generations. Friends said he will be greatly missed by his family and the St. Ignace community because of his friendliness, wit, and humor.

Mr. Ahlich passed away Sunday afternoon, January 27, 2008, at his Lake Street home in St. Ignace.

He was born July 15, 1922, in St. Ignace to Frank F. and Lucille (nee Parish) Ahlich. When he was 15, he and a friend hopped a train and traveled to Montana together, and the account of the trip was written as a story in the former Republican News of St. Ignace.

He was graduated with LaSalle High School's Class of 1940 in St. Ignace, and after a stint on the ferries, joined the Navy September 26, 1942.

He was graduated from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station as Honor Man, and served as a Machinists Mate First Class on Amphibious Attack Boats during World War II. He was selected to attend the Naval V12 Officer Training Program at the University of Michigan, and he was enrolled in the training for more than a year. He also served overseas in the African Campaign, and in the invasions of Sicily and Salerno. He was discharged from military service November 8, 1945, at Great Lakes, Illinois, after serving three years, one month, and 13 days. He returned to St. Ignace after his Naval service.

Mr. Ahlich was a member of the United States Navy Amphibious Attack Boats organization and the American Legion, and was charter member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. He was a past commander of the American Legion. Mr. Ahlich was also a lifetime member of the Kiwanis Club of St. Ignace, a former member of Moose Lodge 999, and a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.

He was an avid cook, hunter, reader, and University of Michigan fan. He was an original member of the Mackinac Conservation Club.

Mr. Ahlich married Phyliss Ney September 30, 1944.

Following Mr. Ahlich's retirement, the couple moved to the family cottage on Trout Lake. They lived there for 17 years before returning to St. Ignace in 2002.

Mr. Ahlich is survived by his wife, Phyliss; four sons and their families, Mark Ahlich of New Orleans, Frank and Sally Ahlich, Jim Ahlich, all of St. Ignace, and Bill and Rickie Ahlich of Trout Lake; three daughters and their families, Carol Haege of Petoskey, Nancy and Conrad English of Torch Lake, and Barbara Crosby of St. Ignace; nine grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Dell Jr. in 1954, and a grandson, Daniel Crosby in 2004.

Visitation will be Friday, February 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace. An American Legion service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.

A memorial service will follow Friday, February 1, at 8 p.m. at Dodson Funeral Home. Father Allen Mott and Deacon Don Olmstead will officiate.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Brown, Jim Bishop, Bob Morin, Steve Goudreau, Ted Catlin, Wayne Taylor, Lawrence "Ashcan" Furlott, Rex Hooper, Art Pechta, and Greg Cheeseman.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in St. Ignace.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Ignace Area Project Hope, and donation envelopes are available at Dodson Funeral Home.