Ann Aloyse DeBault

Ann Aloyse DeBault (nee Emerick) 94, passed away peacefully at Charlotte Bay Rehabilitation and Care Center, Port Charlotte, FL.

Ann was born to Charles and Aloyse (nee Brauer) Emerick on January 29, 1930 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her life was challenging as the only daughter between two brothers, Martin and James.

She graduated high school from Saint Phillips, Battle Creek, Michigan and attended Nazareth College.

Ann met her husband, Donald O. DeBault, in May of 1948 on a blind date. They married on August 14, 1948 and began a journey like no other raising 11 children.

Her life moved her to many areas of the United States but mostly in the Central area. They lived in many areas starting in Battle Creek, Michigan moving to Windsor Canada, Detroit Michigan, back to Battle Creek, to Coal City Illinois in 1958, then to Portage Michigan in 1965 and currently residing in Port Charlotte, Florida since 1988.

Ann's first job was in 1948 as a tour guide at the Kellogg Plant in Battle Creek Michigan. She moved to Coal City, Illinois where she made bread in her home to help support the family needs. She stayed home working as a housewife and caregiver to her family until she moved with the family to Portage, Michigan. In 1968, Ann took a job as a cashier at the Meijer, Inc. on South Westnedge until 1988 when she retired. After retirement, she and Donald traveled to places including Hawaii.

She had many skills including knitting, bread making, canning and freezing the plethora of vegetables that were supplied by the garden prepared and cultivated by her husband Don and the family. She always had dinner on the table every night and she also made sure that there was always dessert for 13 people. To this day we still remember her Hot Fudge Pudding Cake and her tapioca pudding in individual cups with grape jelly in the center. Memories we have are every day coming home at lunch to find lunch prepared as we watched Bozo's Circus at noon and after school snack while we watched The Guiding Light.

When she moved to Port Charlotte, she began the Telecare Volunteer Program at St Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte. She was affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish, Punta Gorda Florida where she was a lector and was involved with the Sacred Heart Choir (of which she was a founding member of the choir), and the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.

Surviving are her Children Catherine (Jerry) Munting (Richland, MI), Donna DeBault (Portage, MI), Susan (Barry) Nelson (Kalamazoo, MI), David (Connie) DeBault (Rolla, MO), James (Joyce Kramer) DeBault (Kalamazoo, MI), Mary Jane DeBault (Kalamazoo, MI), Robert DeBault (Moore Haven, FL), Kenneth (Tonya) DeBault (Portage, MI), John (Deborah) DeBault (Portage, MI), and Paul (Kristen) DeBault (Vicksburg, MI). Brother James Emerick (Port Charlotte, Florida). Twenty-three (23) grandchildren, 27 Great-Grandchildren and 7 Great-great Grandchildren. Many Nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald of 75 years. parents Charles and Aloyse Emerick (nee Brauer), Son Thomas Charles DeBault, granddaughter Stephanie DeBault. Great Granddaughter Taylor Therkildsen, Brother Martin Emerick.

Cremation has occurred through Johnson-Taylor Funeral & Cremation, Punta Gorda, Florida. Requiem Mass will be performed by Father Jerome Kaywell at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Punta Gorda, Florida, May 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

A memorial with burial at the Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers all donations please make to The Sacred Heart St Vincent dePaul Society, Punta Gorda, Florida to benefit those in need.