William Joseph Maher

William Joseph Maher, age 78, most recently from Comstock Park, MI, passed away on July 12, 2021, after a recent cancer diagnosis. His greatest enjoyment came from creating opportunities and participating in family togetherness. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Jean (Witte) Maher, and his sister Marianne (Maher) McDonald; he is survived by his daughters Kelly (Sean) Berrie of Berlin, MD, Carrie (Quinn) VandenBerg of White Cloud, MI, and Shannon (Andy) Jansma of Sparta, MI and his grandchildren, Caela, Emma, and Lexi Berrie, Parker & Lily VandenBerg and Sawyer and Max Jansma. Additionally, he is survived by his sister's children Michael (Mary) McDonald, William (Lisa) McDonald, Patricia (Robert) Torr, Colleen (Thomas) Mulroy, and six Maher grand nieces and nephews. He joined the Witte clan when he married Mary Jean Witte on June 15, 1968, and was welcomed as one of their own. He enjoyed a special relationship with his six brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law and remained close with them and the 25 Witte nieces and nephews and 22 grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 7, 1943, to the late Leo T. (Skip) and Helen Maher, he graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School, where he was a member of the '61 State Championship basketball team and a member of the DCCHS Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Michigan University, where he met his wife, Mary Jean, and several lifelong friends. Bill was a teacher in Flint, MI for three years before returning to Central Michigan to earn his MBA. He then worked for Robinson's Industries and Delta College before returning to Central Michigan University, retiring from there as the Executive Director of National Programs Emeritus in 1999 after 23 years. Even after retirement, he continued to advocate for higher learning, as his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren will attest. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending his time with family and friends at the cottage in Fremont, his condo in Comstock Park, and 16 sun-soaked winters in Lake Havasu, AZ. He especially enjoyed attending the grandkids' and grand nieces' and nephews' athletic events in person and online. He and Mary Jean raised their family in Coleman, MI, where he lived for over 40 years. He was a devoted Catholic and a longtime member of Saint Phillip Neri in Coleman, where he was an active member, including co-chair of the building expansion; he was a seasonal parishioner at All Saints Catholic Church in Fremont, MI for 35 years, and most recently a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belmont, MI. He had an inquisitive nature that drew him into perpetual learning about world and community events, sports, finance, and most passionately, the interests and lives of his loved ones. Right up to the end, he continued his futile support of Detroit professional sports teams. During his days in hospice care, he was humbled and thankful for all the calls, notes, letters, and visits…. As well as the M&Ms, cookies and various chocolate treats that made up his fifth and favorite food group. VISITATION : Friday, July 16, 2021 from 9:30 – 11am at the All Saints Catholic Church 500 Iroquois Fremont MI 49412 with MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL following at 11am at the All Saints Catholic Church with Rev. Father Peter Schafer presding. INTERMENT : Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Fremont. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS : In lieu of flowers, Bill asked that memorial donations be made to True North food pantry in Fremont (https://www.truenorthservices.org/ ) or a food pantry in your community. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel 231-924-0800. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Maher family online at www.crandellfh.com.