Obituaries

Derick Russell Eitrem, age 60, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away, on June 12, 2024, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born on August 15, 1963, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Joseph Valentine and Dorothy Lorraine (Craven) Eitrem.

Derick grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and graduated from Sault High School with the Class of 1981. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and started his franchise business of three Domino Pizza stores. Derick moved back to Sault Ste. Marie in 1993, and got back with his high school love, Jill, and they raised five boys together. He was such a devoted family man, who always put them first.

Derick was very athletic in many sports, cross training at all times, with alternate sports. He ended up a boxing champ, going all the way to winning the Golden Gloves.

Derick got into construction, then flooring installation, which brought him to running the Weirs Carpet Mart. He and his partner, Joe Greener, ended up buying the store together six years ago, and changed the name to U.P Carpet Mart. He took such pride in the store, making it extremely successful.

Derick enjoyed being outdoors, spear fishing, hunting, bush craft, and woodworking. He loved to go camping and tell stories for entertainment around the campfire. Derick was great at teaching his kids outdoor skills, along with anything else he could pass along to them.

Derick is survived by his wife, Jill; children, Matthew Sturgul of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Joshua (Jessica) Beseau of Doyline, Louisiana, Jeremy (Erin) Eitrem of Sault Ste. Marie, Joseph (Ashley) Eitrem of Sault Ste. Marie, Ariana Eitrem of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, Jacob (Jessica) Eitrem of Sault Ste. Marie, Dylan Eitrem of Sault Ste. Marie; many grandchildren; one great-grandchild; mother, Dorothy (Craven) Eitrem; sister, Renee (Cameron) Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.

Derick was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; brother, Steven Eitrem; sister-in-law, Jodi Eitrem; grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

Memorial Contributions may be given in honor of Derick to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 15, 2024, at the First Church of Christ, 300 W. Spruce St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. A Memorial Service will start at 12:00 Noon with a luncheon to follow the service.

Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.