Darst F. Grund

1938 - 2017

Darst F. Grund, 79, of Cheboygan, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at home.
Darst was born on May 2, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Walden and Frieda (Jacobs) Grund.
As a young boy he was a newspaper carrier for the Toledo Blade for seven years, delivering the papers in the mornings before going to school.
Darst received a Bachelor of Science degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1960, and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. On Dec. 31, 1961, he married Margaret "Peggy" DeMaro. Darst received a Master's Degree in food Technology from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he was recruited by Gerber Baby products in Fremont, Mich. He became their lead technologist and was instrumental in formulating Gerber Graduates Baby Food. His career with Gerber (which was sold to Sandoz, then Nestle) spanned 35 years, retiring in 2000.
Darst, Peggy and their children, Ted, Steve, and Debbie would spend many enjoyable vacations at Black Lake (up north). They snowmobiled in winter and boated in the summer. Loving the north so much they built a home on the shore of Black Lake and moved there permanently after retirement. Their sons, Ted and Steve, recount many adventures with their dad, as they grew up, on Black Mountain and surrounding trails and even the U.P. Debby and her husband Mike, came to own their own cottage on Twin Lakes where loons (that her mother loved) sing in the evening. Peggy passed away in 2009.
Darst met Elouise Davis at an Easter dinner at Donna and Chris Keen's home. After much "requested" coaching from friends, Darst asked Elouise to go to dinner. She said she already had plans but would be glad to meet him at Big Boy the next day. From then on "it was history."
Darst and Elouise married Thanksgiving weekend in Carmel, Ind. in 2012. All of Elouise's family and Darst's Family were there to celebrate. Prior to marrying Elouise, Darst was attending St. Paul's United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and as part of a quartet there, helped on projects for others with the men's group, was part of the men's bible study group, worked at the food pantry with them one day a week, and gladly washed dishes at the fund raising dinners the church sponsored. He also worked at the Methodist food building every year during the Cheboygan County Fair. Darst was a longtime survivor of cancer, fighting it since 2005. He transitioned peacefully to heaven on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 with Elouise by his side.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 at 11 a.m., at the Northshore Community Church on Palmyra Street in Cheboygan.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Straits. Online condolences may be made at www.stoenfuneralhomeinc.com. The Nordman-Christian Funeral Home is caring for the family.