Darrell Dean Hull

On January 23rd, 2026, we lost a great man, Darrell Hull (79). He passed away peacefully at his home, “Paradise on Dam Road,” surrounded by his family. Born in West Branch on September 30th, 1946, Darrell was the firstborn son of the late Bill and June Hull. Darrell was a pillar in every community he lived in, whether in Merritt, where he owned and operated The Corner gas station and restaurant from 1966 to 1974 and was the Assistant Fire Chief, or, most notably, in West Branch, where he owned The West Branch Building Center from 1976 to 2012. He was proud to help build many homes in Ogemaw County, and he loved the community passionately.

Darrell was a man of many hobbies and a walking example of “work hard, play hard.” He was a bowler, golfer, avid hunter, fisherman, camper, snowmobiler, and traveler. He enjoyed owning harness-race horses and watching his uncle and grandfather race them. He also volunteered his time at the food bank. In recent years, he loved taking long golf cart rides on his property with the love of his life. His favorite roles, by far, were those of husband, dad, papa, and peepaw.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen Hull; beautiful daughters, Lesia (Mike) Loney, Laurie (Greg) Wangler, and Lynette (Paul) Dunaj; grandchildren, Jessica Loney, Alyssa (Bill) Berlin, Sam Zimmerman, Kassie and Allie Dunaj, Amber (Nathan) Trout, and Greggie (Alicia) Wangler; great-grandchildren, Carson and Caleb Dettling, Raegan and Reid Berlin, Aubree and Abbie Trout, and Jayce Wangler; and his best buddy and grand-dog, Cooper.

He is also survived by his little sister, Gina (Bill) Loney; sisters-in-law Billie and Agnes Daniels; brother-in-law Russell Rinckey; and many very special nieces and nephews. He was regarded as a second dad by nephews John and Chris Hull, whom he loved like sons.

Darrell is also survived by his best friend and golf partner, Greg Phillips, and long-time bowling buddy, Dallas Ostrander.

Preceded in death by parents Bill and June Hull; grandparents Fred “Pa” and Ethel “Mona” Webster, Percy and Sylvia Hull; and brothers Bill and Rod Hull.

Darrell was blessed by a liver transplant in 2018. If you would like to honor Darrell, please consider donating to The Gift of Life Michigan, which gave Darrell eight extra years on earth.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Darrell on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, from 2-6 PM at Merritt Auction House, Aka “The Corner”, 7467 East Houghton Lake Road, Merritt, MI, 49667.

Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernolmclaren.com