Douglas L. Despins

Douglas Despins, 86, Rib Mountain, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. He was born in Norway, MI on December 30, 1931, and was adopted by Ida and Arthur Despins of Kingsford, MI. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1950. During his high school years, Doug was a ski jumper, skiing in tournaments throughout Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Doug enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1951-1955, stationed in Korea for one year. He was a member of the Montgomery-Plant-Dudley American Legion Post 10, Wausau, for 40+ years. He was able to travel with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight XXI from Wausau on September 28, 2015, where he met his chaperone and new friend, Mike. In 1993, Doug retired from James River Corporation as an electrician. His interests throughout life included hunting, fishing, and golfing. After retirement he golfed nearly every day. He prided himself in having two holes-in-one, one at Bass Lake and the other at the American Legion Golf Course (Tribute Golf Course). Doug was also a Chicago Cubs and a Detroit Lions fan. Doug married Marjorie Seitz in 1953. He is survived by their two children, Beth (Robert) Ellis, Astoria, OR and Scott (Sally) Despins, DeWitt, MI. In 1972, he married Lucille Porter in Iron Mountain, MI. He is also survived by her three children, Debbie Sleik, Kingsford, MI, Paula (Paul) Raymond, Mosinee, WI and Dan (Beth) Porter, Rothschild, WI. Doug leaves grandchildren Aaron, Isaac, and Rob Ellis, Brad, Mitch, and Amanda Despins, Brad, Brian, and Dan Sleik, Eric and Danielle Raymond, and Katie Porter, and 17 great-grandchildren. Doug is also survived by a special friend, Mary Jo Hildensperger and her family. In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by his wife Lucille and son-in-law Dennis Sleik. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, with full military honors conducted by the American Legion, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Entombment will be on Monday at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Doug's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other care providers for their kind, compassionate, and professional care given to Doug during his stay at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doug can be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 4404 Rib Mountain Dr #234, Wausau, WI 54401. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com