Douglas Richard Erdman, age 73 of Bear Lake, passed away on Thursday December 19, 2024, after a heroic battle with cancer.

Born in Frankfort, Michigan on July 21, 1951, Doug was the son of the late Richard and Dorothy (Cushing) Erdman. He grew up on their fruit farm in Onekama where they grew cherries, strawberries, and peaches, and where they milked cows by hand.

Doug graduated from Onekama High School in 1969. He and his first wife, Jane, raised two daughters, Michelle and Laurie. Although he was always too busy on the farm to play sports in high school, he coached for many years in Bear Lake, starting with T-Ball when the girls were young, onto elementary, junior high, and high school softball, baseball, basketball, and volleyball. No team that Doug coached ever had a losing season. He loved teaching the basics of each sport and enjoyed helping his grandkids with their sports into his 70's.

He had joined the Bear Lake United Methodist Church in 1995 and the Northwest Michigan Emmaus Community in 2005, where he truly found his Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. He became one of the lead singers at many Emmaus weekends and gatherings. He had many requests to sing in choirs because of his beautiful, strong bass voice.

Doug met the love of his life, Jacque Wallace, in one of those choirs and they married in 2008. She became his lifelong hunting, fishing, and farming companion.

He retired in 2013 after 43 years at Martin Marietta.

Doug and Jacque joined Blaine Christian Church in 2015 where they sang together with the praise team. He enjoyed sharing his musical talent and enthusiasm for Christ through solos and with the praise team.

His happy place was his 60-acre tree farm, part of his original family orchard. He was happiest among the trees and the wildlife. He and Jacque worked together for many months to finish a beautiful rustic cabin on the property. They spent many busy and enjoyable times with the grandkids and cousins on the farm – camping overnights, bonfires, monster chasing, flashlight tag, and "redneck snow plowing." Doug made sure all the grandchildren who were interested learned how to hunt, and he usually made sure they were successful.

Doug will be remembered for his beautiful voice, ready smile, and love of Christ.

He is survived by his wife Jacque; brother Greg (Deb) Erdman; sister Barb Peterson; brother-in-law Richard Hansen; daughters Michelle (John) Mertes and Laurie (Bryan) Cook; grandchildren John D. (Sydney) Cook, Faith Cook, Alexis Cook, Sarah Cook, Nik (Zaley) Cook, Luke Cook, Jonah Cook, Aiden Mertes and Dane Mertes; step-grandchildren Audreuna Swain, Jaedin Swain, and Alexander Swain; great-grandchildren Keira Fairlamb, Emma Fairlamb, Liam Fairlamb, Harrison Fairlamb, Fallon Cook, and Creed Cook; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by his sister Sandra and stepson Jason Swain.

A Celebration of Life for Doug will be held on December 28 at 5:00 PM at Blaine Christian Church. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blaine Christian Church or the West Michigan Emmaus Community.

Please visit www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo, memory, or condolences with Doug's family. Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee is honored to assist the family during this difficult time.