Daniel Gordon Boda

Ginew Inini - Golden Eagle Man

passed peacefully August 11th, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Daniel was born on October 1st, 1942 in Petoskey, MI, the son of Daniel Gilbert and Leota Boda.

He graduated from Pellston schools. Dan worked various jobs before becoming a deputy sheriff in Emmet County MI. These experiences included a summer working on the Great Lakes, in the galley of an ore carrier, primarily hauling iron ore from upper Great Lakes mines to Chicago. In 1967, he left the Sheriff’s Dept to work for the MI Department of Corrections. He was employed by the Corrections Department for 33 years and retired in 2001 as a Custody Sergeant. In 1991, based on his work performance and community service, Dan was selected to be the Michigan Corrections Officer of the Year and the National Corrections Officer of the Year. He traveled with his family to Washington D.C. to be recognized. After retirement, the Michigan Department of Corrections new recruit class of 2006 wore his name, an honor usually reserved for wardens and supervisors.

In 1984, he married Ellen Marguerite (Ufford) Gwilt, and they made their home in northern Michigan before moving to Harrison, TN in 2013.

Dan loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all his family and friends. He enjoyed golf, muscle cars, music, tinkering in his shop, and coaching high school athletics, especially football. He never met a stranger and loved people of all ages. He was definitely the family "baby whisperer". Dan loved life, loved to laugh, and brought joy to all who knew him.

He is a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in Northern Michigan.

He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel Gilbert Boda and Leota Boda, his sister, Arlene Brilley, brother-in-law Chuck McDonald, and his treasured cousin "brother" Clyde McMichael.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ellen, his six children Sandy Bibby (Jeana), Randy Bonter (Jennifer), David Boda (Darlene), Danielle Stradley (Michael), Saundra Blair (Mark) and Brooke Boda; his 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Donna Searles (Rodney), Marilyn McDonald, Carolyn Taglauer(Gordon), Phebe Boda, Shara Boda; former spouse, Sandra Gardner, and many nieces and nephews.

May he gaze upon you, Lord, face to face, and taste the blessedness of perfect rest and everlasting peace. Dan will be deeply missed by all who loved him. "Baamaapii" (see you later, after awhile, eventually).

Friends and family in the Chattanooga area are invited to gather with the family on Friday August 14th, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at their home. Contact family for location.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Northern Michigan at a later date and Dan will be laid to rest at McKinley Township Cemetery, Pellston, Michigan.