DuVoid Frederick "Dewey" Darland

On Wednesday, June 14th, 2023, DuVoid "Dewey" Frederick Darland quietly fell asleep on this Earth and then awoke to the splendor of Heaven.
He is survived by his daughter Victoria Lynett Billingsley (and husband, Howard) of Lafayette, IN and three grandchildren: Nicholas DuVoid Billingsley of Lafayette; Brittney Alyse Ten Cate (and husband, Curtis) of Adrian, MI to whom he filled the role of a father; and Gerrit Bakker of Jacksonville, FL. Surviving him also are his two great-grandchildren Griffin Alexander Ten Cate and Eva Elizabeth Ten Cate. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Clara Elizabeth Darland, two of his daughters: Stacy Leigh Becktel and Denise Michelle Bakker. Also preceding him in death were his two sisters: Kareen Frost and Kay Schod, as well as his parents, Frederick and Beatrice Darland, to whom he was born on April 15, 1934 in Alma, Michigan.
Dewey was a master storyteller. Anyone who spent any time with him would tell you about his stories. Full of color and laughter (and maybe more than a hint of exaggeration). He loved to entertain with anecdotes of his past. Pausing at just the right moments and then smiling and laughing precisely when needed to elicit the best response from his audience.
Indeed there are many stories that could be told of his deeds–great and small–because Dewey fiercely loved his family and was generous almost to a fault. There is nothing he would not have given, no expense he would have spared, to help those he cared for. He was a provider and a defender and a rock amidst many storms. He was a father to the fatherless. He was a good man.
The world is a little quieter in his absence, but let us keep his memory alive. Let us re-tell his stories, continuing to bring the joy he desired to cultivate. In our grief, let us hold fast to the same Rock to which he clung. He was quiet, but resolute in his faith and he knew that God is always good. We say to him, "rest well" and thank God for the time he gave us with him. We hope, when the time comes for us to reunite with him in the next life, we'll get the chance to tell him some stories of our own.
A Celebration of Life will take place on July 1st at 2:00 pm in Adrian, Michigan at Grace Point Evangelical Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dewey's name to Lenawee Christian School.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.