David F. Deroche

David Frederick DeRoche, age 84, of Iron River, MI., passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. He was born on May 12, 1938, in Ishpeming, MI, the son of the late Ernest Sr. and Marie (LaForge) DeRoche. David graduated from Alpha High School in 1956 and proceeded to earn Bachelor of Arts degrees in philosophy and psychology, a Master's degree in philosophy and a PhD in philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago. David studied for a year at Yale University, where he was the top student in his class in the Far Eastern Languages Department with a specialization in Mandarin Chinese. David was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War in which he served as an interpreter. After finishing his service and following his educational pursuits, David became an adjunct professor of philosophy for Gogebic Community College at its Iron River campus from 1970-79 and was named Michigan College Educator of the Year. After leaving teaching, David became a computer programmer and later a counselor. David married Shirley Kolonoski on May 18, 1979 in Iron River, MI and the couple made their home at Sunset Lake. David was an avid genealogist and a voracious reader, interested in both fiction and non-fiction. David loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and also raised birds. He also enjoyed playing bridge and followed politics on a daily basis. David is survived by Shirley, his wife of 45 years, son Jerome DeRoche of Gaastra, MI; daughters, Monet DeRoche Dotson of Gaastra, MI., and Sandra (Michael) Bowick of Deatsville, AL; brother Mark DeRoche of Cleveland, TN; sisters Paulette "Kay" (Anthony) Ghidorzi of Winfield, IL and Collette Kocinski of Hendersonville, NC. David is also survived by grandchildren Paige and Drake Dotson, Shannon (Mark) Willis, Xavier Compton, Joshua, Dakota, Jacob and Nicholas Anstey, seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. David was preceded in death by his son Gregory Michael DeRoche, daughter Susan Anstey, brothers Ernest Paul DeRoche Jr., Joel DeRoche and Daniel DeRoche and sister Marguerite Nelson. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David F. Deroche, please visit our flower store.