Daniel T. Willey

Ishpeming, MI – Daniel T. Willey, age 63, longtime Ishpeming resident and current Marquette Co. Undersheriff passed away on Thursday July 11, 2024, at UP Health System Marquette after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loved ones.
Dan was born in Ishpeming, MI on June 19, 1961, a son of the late Thomacine H. (Liberato) and Clarence (Tab) Marvin Willey. He was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1979. After graduation he went on to study criminal justice at NMU and then joined the Air Force where he served for 4 years as a Senior Airman. He was stationed at Whiteman Air Force base in Missouri and Sembach Air Base in West Germany. After his honorable discharge he then joined the Ishpeming Police Department where he spent 30 years where he advanced in his career as Patrolman, Detective Sergeant and Chief of Police. In 2005 he was nominated as Marquette County Police Officer of the year. In 2017 Sheriff Gregory Zyburt appointed Dan as Undersheriff, where he proudly served the citizens of Marquette County until his death. The Sheriffs Office says, Undersheriff Willey's dedication, kindness and sense of humor will be missed by not only the staff but the entire community.
Dan was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and an honorary member of the St. Rocco – St. Anthony Society. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed a "good" round of golf. He spent as much time as he could at his family camp north of Ishpeming hunting and fly fishing, and exploring on his ATV or Snowmobile.
He loved to play guitar at family gatherings or even office parties. Always the life of the party with jokes and stories of his adventures. He was a genuine person and those who had the honor of really getting to know his found him to have a kind heart and always a shoulder to lean on. His faith in God was very strong till the very end, an excellent example of a fine man to his children.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 30 years Stacey A. (Gronvall) Willey, his children - Addey (Eric) Quigley of Marquette, Dan A. (Loretta) Willey of Ishpeming, Mathew Willey of Negaunee, Ana (Robert) Morrison of Ishpeming and Sarah (Tyler) Borski of Ishpeming, 2 step-sons, Randy and James Larkins both of Ishpeming, 17 grandchildren, three brothers, Clarence "Tabby" (Sherrie) Willey of Negaunee, James Willey of Hopkinsville, KY and Steve Willey of Negaunee, a sister-in-law Debbie Willey of Ishpeming, his In-laws, Sharon and Robin Gronvall of Ishpeming, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother John Patrick Willey and brother Louis Willey.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am – 1:00pm on Thursday July 18, 2024, at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00pm at St. John's with Fr. Larry Van Damme, Fr. Christian Flagstadt and Msgr. Michael Steber to concelebrate the Mass. Members of the Marquette Co. Sheriff's Dept. and Ishpeming Police Dept. will serve as honor guard. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery where the United States Air Force will accord Military Honors. The Mass will be livestreamed at ishpemingcatholic.com/live starting at 12:50pm.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials be directed to the Marquette County Victim Services Unit, c/o Marquette Co. Sheriff's Dept, 236 W. Baraga Ave, Marquette, MI 49855 a cause near and dear to Dan's heart.
Dan's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.