Dana R. Blair

BLAIR, Dana R. December 20, 1937 to February 19, 2025. Beloved wife to Merle (Bud) Blair, loving mother to Stacey (David) Miller and Shannon (Tony Hellner, deceased) Blair, cherished grandmother to Jessica (TJ, deceased) Boehmer, Melissa (Mike) Beard, Erik (Briana) Skurda, Daniel (Lauren) Miller, Erin (Kurtis) Nishimura, David (Amanda) Shirley, Benjamin Miller, and Jonathan Miller. Dana was also the proud grandmother of 12 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Kody, Zackary, Makenzie, Cameron, Sadie, June, Luella, Emmy, Maxwell, Logan, and Ethan. Dana was born in Alpena, Michigan, to Connie and Gordon Perchard. At the age of 5, the family moved to Centerline, where Dana attended Bush and Centerline High Schools. After graduation, she furthered her education at Comptometer School. During her school years, Dana was an avid baseball player and a proud member of the High School Marching Band. As a young adult, Dana worked at Chrysler in the finance department, her hard work paid off and allowed her to purchase her very own car – a 1956 Desoto Fireflite convertible, an Indianapolis 500 Pace Car! In the fall of 1956, on two separate occasions, Dana and Bud went on blind dates together. A short six months later, on a snowy pay day in February, Dana and Bud were married in a ceremony that marked the beginning of a remarkable, loving partnership that would last for more than 68 years. Dana was deeply involved in her community, where she made her mark in local politics. She served as a Brownie leader, became an advocate for the Utica Community Schools School Board, and, in the late 1970s, was elected as the first female councilperson for the City of Sterling Heights, MI. Throughout her life, Dana loved discussing politics and advocating for what she believed in. In the early 1980s, Dana embraced the joy of becoming a grandmother. Her heart swelled with love as she spent countless holidays and summer weekends at the family cabin in Caseville, making cherished memories with her children and grandchildren. As her family grew to include 12 great-grandchildren, her home and heart overflowed with even more love and joy. Dana shared a deep love of travel with Bud, and together they explored five continents. Their adventures took them to places like Mexico, Canada, Venezuela, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Germany. Additionally, they visited every state in the United States and proudly collected a coffee mug from each state as a testament to their travels. When it came to sports, Dana was a passionate fan. She enjoyed watching the Tigers and Lions, as well as golfing. A great armchair coach, she was always enthusiastic and full of opinions. But her true favorite pastime was fishing. On one memorable trip with friends, Dana proudly caught an 8-and-a-half-foot Sailfish, which now has a place of honor in the Caseville home. Dana also enjoyed trying her hand at various sports, including softball, tennis, bowling, swimming and occasionally video games (Ms Packman). As a child, swimming brought her immense joy, and she never lost her love for the water. Dana’s life was filled with love, adventure, and a deep connection to her family and community. Her presence will be missed but never forgotten, as the legacy of her kindness, spirit, and joy for life lives on in all who knew her. Many happy and fun memories, remembering our Mom.

Dana R. Blair

December 20, 1937 - February 19, 2025