WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Clair Maynard Dechow, 84, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 after an extended illness.
Clair was born Sept. 6, 1925 in Northport, one of 10 children of Fred and Maybelle Dechow. He attended schools in the Northport area, where the Dechow brothers were known for their ability on the basketball court. After serving in the U.S. Army, Clair joined the Michigan State Police and served at posts in Battle Creek, Manistee, Erie, Clinton and Jonesville. He retired from the State Police as commander of the Jonesville Post. He worked for Consumers Energy in Midland until his retirement in 1986.
Clair met Dorothy Lucille Brower, a nurse, while stationed in Battle Creek. They were married July 29, 1950 in Northport and lived in Michigan until the late 1980s when they moved to Port Charlotte, Fla. they returned to Michigan five years ago.
Clair was preceded in death by a son, Robert, in 1992, and by five of his siblings. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Dorothy; his sons and their wives, David (Mary) of Three Rivers and Phillip (Lori) of Gretna, NB; his grandchildren, Shelby and RJ Dechow of Gretna, NB. Also surviving are his brothers, Gerald of Northport and Fred of Lake Leelanau; his sisters, Erma Bussey of Midland and Freda Mann of Winneconne, Wis.
Funeral services will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at Covell Funeral Home, 232 E. State Street, Traverse City. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Interment will be at the Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Bowman House, 1215 Elm Street, Three Rivers, MI 49093, or the Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial, 1715 Abbey Road, Suite B, East Lansing, MI 48823.
