Douglas L. Miron

Munising

 Douglas Lenhart Miron, a pillar of the Munising community, died early Tuesday morning, December 10, 2024 at the Harbour View Assisted Living in Munising at the age of 91. He was born on May 27, 1933 in Munising to Lenhart and Florence (Korpela) Miron. Doug grew up in Munising and excelled in Mustang sports where he lettered four years in football, basketball, and track. One of his most proud Mustang moments was when he was selected to play in the All-Star football game his senior year. Doug graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1951 and instead of pursuing the opportunity he had to continue his football career, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Doug was a Korean War Veteran serving in the 7th Fleet on the USS Hamul AD-20 and USS Black DG-666. He served from January 3, 1952 until December 13, 1955. While on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Amorette Burley on August 28, 1954. Doug and Amorette raised their five children and were married almost seventy years when she preceded him in death on July 9, 2024. He was a proud Navy Veteran and throughout his years, he was a member of the American Legion, a member of the Mission IX Honor Flight, was honored as the Grand Marshall of Munising’s 4th of July parade in 2021, and served as a board member of the Alger County Veterans Affairs. After he was honorably discharged, he worked briefly for the Ford Motor company. Doug went to work for the Munising City Police Department and worked over forty years, retiring as Chief of Police. During his tenure with the Department, he worked closely with the Alger County Sheriff Department and Michigan State Police. Those collaborations between the regional law enforcement agencies gained him lifelong friends. He was active in the formation of UPSET and was involved with Northern Michigan University Police Training program. 

 Doug served his county well in numerous ways. He was chairman of the Alger County Road Commission for twenty-six years, retiring on December 31, 2020. Doug and many others were instrumental in the paving of H-58 between Munising and Grand Marais. He was a member of the Alger Country Road Association of Michigan, chaired the Binsfeld Memorial Bay Shore Park Committee, was chosen as an UP side recipient on TV6, chaired the Alger County Democratic Party, was an originator and chair of the Alger Fish and Game Alliance, and worked with the Bowerman family over twenty-five years when they ran the ambulance. 

Doug was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight. Doug bled orange and black for his Munising Mustangs. He was a past chairman of the Booster Club, helped organize the lighting of the football field, and spent many years as a trainer for the Mustangs. He was known as “Doc Miron” to the players and coaches. As Police Chief, he began the All-Night Senior Party in the 1980s to keep kids safe during the night of graduation. He loved playing morning basketball in “The Pit”, deer hunting, rabbit hunting with his beagles, and fishing. Doug was the First Mate of the Runaway (Charlie Stark’s boat) and life member of the Bowerman Ready Lake Hunting Camp where he was the Spike Horn Champ. Doug enjoyed trips to Alaska and coffee klatch at the Legion, funeral home, or wherever the guys met to solve the world’s problems. He was a member of the Pictured Rocks Golf Course and enjoyed the Senior Wednesday scramble. Any day he beat Kenny Bowerman on a hole was a proud day. He loved the Detroit Lions and respected the play of Chris Spielman on defense and Walter Payton on offense. His voicemails that he left were clever and legendary. 

Doug was proud of his Finnish heritage and SISU.  He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He would light up when talking about them and their accomplishments. He was proud of the work he did to serve his community. Doug Miron will be missed. 

He is survived by his children – Adorée Miron (George Duquesnel) of Delton, MI, Mari Jo (Mark) Sadak of Munising, Stephanie (Rod) Killips of Christmas, Louis (Chrissy) Miron of Prattville, AL, and Doug (Jackie) Miron of Sparta, MI; grandchildren – Mitchell (Samantha) Duquesnel, Peter (Sawyer Rufullo) Duquesnel, Raquel (Ted) Soyad, Marcus (Jenny) Sadak, Maggie Thoune, Adoree (Steven) Berg, Jordan (Mirissa Eiseman) Miron, Michael (Alexis) Miron, Matthew Miron, Stephan (Danielle) Miron, Nicholas Miron, Amy (Peter) Lord, and Joshua Miron; great grandchildren – Vinnie, Ava, Tucker, Lavender, Sullivan, Cloie, Karson, Marlee, Adlee, and Haislee; numerous cousins; and generations of lifelong friends. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Amorette, brother Ron Miron, and great-grandson Damien Miron.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be a time for prayers, music, and storytelling beginning at 7:00 p.m. Father Michael Ocran will celebrate Doug’s funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church on Friday, December 20, 2024. Interment will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery in 2025 where military honors will be rendered. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made in Doug’s memory to the U.P. Honor Flight, 7508 J Road, Gladstone, Michigan 49837. http://www.upperpeninsulahonorflight.org/donations