Daniel Russell Rye

Daniel Russell Rye, age 63, of Goetzville, Michigan, died February 17, 2019, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Dan was born in Sault Ste. Marie on March 10, 1955, to Roy Willis Rye and Jennie Louise (Kennedy) Rye. Dan was raised on the family farm attending Pickford schools where he graduated in 1973. In high school he loved music and football, but was especially proud of buying his first car. He started out working for his parents at Freezer Pac Meats in high school and on the family farm. He married his high school sweetheart in 1974 and they had three children, Danielle, Tara and Eric. Dan later went to work for his Uncle Jack Slater and Slater’s gas station where he worked for many years. He started working construction for Green Tree Builders and decided that he wanted to start his own business. While getting his own construction business off the ground, he ran a garbage route and called it “Dirty Dan the Garbage Man”. He owned and operated Dan Rye Builders until he was unable to physically do the work anymore. Dan was very proud of his work and enjoyed challenges that it brought to him from building a geodesic dome home, to building 25+ homes in one summer season with two crews, and going to Florida to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. He was a very hard worker and wanted to provide the best life for his family that he could. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it and would give you the shirt off of his back. Dan was talented at making anything from wood, including toy boxes and bassinets for his grandchildren. Dan loved to joke and tease, almost never being serious. If he was teasing you, he liked you. If he wasn’t joking with you well … you get the idea. He enjoyed bowling, cribbage, deer hunting, his days at the LaJoie deer camp with his friends Elmer and Todd and his son, Eric. He loved his grandkids. In fact, he loved all kids and it always brought a smile to his face to see them. He always encouraged his children to do their best, to be themselves; no matter what that meant, and to be kind and help when you can. He also loved his dog Ralph, who brought him great companionship in his last few years. Ralph went everywhere Dan went and was protective of him. Dan is survived by his three children, Danielle (Kyle) Wood of Kinross, Michigan, Tara Rye of Garden City, Michigan, and Eric Rye of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, Jagger Ackerman, James Shields, Reagan Rye, Nicholas Kibble, Raeleen Corbiere, and Cason Corbiere; siblings, Jenny (Troy) Leach of Pickford, and Kenny (Jackie) Rye of Rudyard, Michigan; and nieces and nephews, Shawn, Charlie, Jesse, Jenna, Cody and Ana. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Louise Rye; his brother, Michael Rye; and his grandson, Dominic. Services will be held Thursday, February 21, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. followed by a funeral service at 3:00 P.M. Interment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Ball Hospice House, Hospice of the E.U.P., 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

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Daniel Russell Rye

March 10, 1955 - February 17, 2019