Ronald Lee "Frenchy" Shovan

Ronald Lee Shovan "Frenchy", age 84, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after battling prostate cancer, at the Ball Hospice House of the EUP in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on July 6, 2023. He was born in Ferndale, Michigan, on August 30, 1938, to George and Irene (LaRoque) Shovan Gurnicki.
Ronald grew up in Madison Heights, Michigan, where he met the love of his life, Caroline in the 9th grade at Madison High School. He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 and served his country for three years. After his honorable discharge, Ronald worked as a line inspector for General Motors for 9 ½ years before him and Caroline moved to Sault Ste. Marie and opened his first business, Frenchy's Store. Followed by Frenchy's Drive Inn, expanding to Frenchy's Restaurant, which he owned and operated for 17 years with his loving wife Caroline. After retiring, they enjoyed relaxing and traveling around the country.
Ronald absolutely loved building things! He built his own restaurant, a vacation cabin in Trout Lake, Michigan, and Caroline's dream log cabin that overlooked Lake Huron, with the help of his son, Rusty. He loved tinkering around, organizing things, his beer, playing Euchre, traveling, reading history books and his Bible. He was devoted to doing his daily prayer list and truly enjoyed helping others. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family and friends and seeing his great-grandchildren.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Caroline; daughter, Colleen (William) Myotte; son, Rusty (Cindy) Shovan; grandchildren, Franchesca (Craig) Campbell, Quinton Myotte, John (Stacey) Dupont, Lloyd (Morgan) Dupont, Brandon (Stephanie) Dupont; 13 great-grandchildren, along with many beloved nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.
Ronald was preceded in death by his sons, Mark John Shovan, and Mark Anthony Shovan; parents George and Irene Shovan Gurnicki, sister; Shirley Pascoe, brothers; George Shovan, and Sidney Shovan, and sister, Winona Shovan.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 15, 2023, from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. at Colleen' s home, located at 2883 Seymour St. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Final resting place will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Pickford Township.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Ronald's favorite charities: Ball Hospice House of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, The Salvation Army, 220 Osborn Blvd, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, Sault Animal Shelter, 3660 South Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or to someone in need.
Clark Hovie Galer Funeral Home of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.
Obituary as submitted by family.