DeWayne Annabel

DeWayne Eugene Annabel, 63 of Grayling, Michigan passed away on April 18,2025, unexpectedly at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan with his family by his side. DeWayne was born on August 14, 1961, in Mount Clemons, Michigan to Richard and Eleanor (Dobberowsky) Annabel.

He was married on August 31, 1985, to Mary (Hudaski) Annabel in Warren Michigan. DeWayne met Mary by chance of fate.  He assisted Mary by helping her get her sister into a vehicle after she broke her foot. Together they had four daughters, and they gave him eight grandchildren and two angels. Papa was his favorite title, and he wore it with pride.

DeWayne was a mechanic, welder/fabricator, built houses, worked on heavy machinery, tree removal/clean up, scrapper, and was Owner/Operator of Babes Towing. He was a very kind and caring man who would always help others in need without thinking about himself. He was selfless in the acts he did knowing that everyone has been down on their luck a time or two. He always had a strong work ethic. But besides all that, he was first and most a family man. He would do anything for his family, especially his four girls.

He loved going to car shows, especially The Woodward Dream Cruise. That’s where his love for muscle cars came from. He enjoyed working on anything with a motor. He could fix and build anything. He always was up for a challenge like building a derby car or making his own tool so that it could help him do a task better. He always had a plan for something he wanted to do. He enjoyed fishing, especially salmon fishing, and hunting with his grandchildren in retirement. He loved going to swap meets, auctions, fairs, and amusement parks. Before his kids he liked to draw and build models. When his daughters were younger, he liked taking them to the drive-in movie and ice cream weekly. He loved scrapping, especially with his daughters and then his grandchildren. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. He loved teaching his girls and grandchildren everything he knew. He enjoyed watching American Pickers, Street Outlaws, Gold Rush, and Counting Cars. You could always catch him with a cup of coffee regardless of the time of day throughout the year. Another love in his life was his fur animals.

DeWayne is survived by his wife, Mary Annabel (Cheboygan, MI); daughters, Sara(Roger) Robbins (Grayling, MI), Emily (Bryan) Hofmann (Grayling, MI), Mary (Jerry) Hamilton ( West Branch, MI), Katie Austin (Beulah, MI); the son he never had, Kyle VanSickle (Grayling,MI); grandchildren, John Annabel, Summer Johnson, Brian Howard, Blake Johnson, Tim Sanderson, Torri Hofmann, Mary Sanderson, and LJ Austin. He also leaves behind his brothers, Anthony (Andrea) Luke (MI), and Randall Annabel (FL); sister, Shirley Klinert (MI), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Fur animals Rebel, Baby Girl, and Maebell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, twin brother Darryl, sister Cindy, nephew Richard, granddaughters Kaylee, and Harper. Fur animals Bonita, Princess, and Trooper.

The Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Grayling Baptist Church. The Service will be officiated by Pastor Derek Hagland. The family will start receiving guests at 9:30am. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. 

DeWayne was always a giving man and taking care of his family was always at the forefront. If you would like to donate to help with unpaid medial bills and to assist Mary financially, please send your donation to Emily Hofmann at 6577 Hanner Trail, Grayling, MI 49738.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.