Nick Gerard DeChalk

Nick Gerard DeChalk, 53, of Concord, Michigan passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 at University of Michigan Health Systems after a yearlong battle with lymphoma. He was born June 9, 1962 in Detroit and was the son of Nick and Nancy (Champion) DeChalk.

Nick faithfully served our country in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at many places including Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Ord, California with the 7th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Grenada for Operation Urgent Fury in 1983, Panama for Operation Just Cause in 1989 and Iraq for Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990. He retired as Sergeant First Class after 24 years of honorable service.

Nick was a member of the VFW Post #3672 in Albion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking and was an avid reader who loved history.

He married Kara Watson on Sept. 12, 1998 in Concord and she survives. Nick is also survived by his children from his first marriage, Nick DeChalk and Amanda DeChalk; siblings, Stephanie DeChalk and Rocco (Sonwha) DeChalk; sister-in-law, Jennifer DeChalk; brother-in-law, Ken Watson; sister-in-law, Kathy (Hal Folk) Palon; mother-in-law, Bettie Watson; nieces and nephews: Rocco, Christina and Hailey DeChalk, Kristie, Katie, Karie, Kyle, Alex and Jeremiah Watson, Teddy and Nathain McVay, Michael (Sarah) Palon; Alex, Alisha and Austin Folk; numerous great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Chris DeChalk.

Nick’s family will celebrate his life on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 27101 W. Chicago St., Redford, Michigan where he will lie in state at 10 a.m. until Mass at 10:30 a.m. with Father Richard Leliaert officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. followed by a memorial service at J. Kevin Tidd funeral Home, 811 Finley Dr., in Albion. Burial will take place on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 at noon at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House or a charity of the donor’s choice.

To leave messages of condolence for the family, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com.