Richard B. Deal, 86 of Petoskey, died on September 7, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Richard was born on November 12, 1934 in Calhoun County, Michigan, the son of the late Robert and Ruth (Dean) Deal and attended Ball State and Albion College. Richard then entered the family business and took over from his dad, operating Coin Laundry laundromats all-over southern Michigan.
In October of 1997, Richard married Donna D. Barker-Jarvis in Cross Village, Michigan, and after Richard retired in 2002, they moved from Battle Creek to Richard's family home in Petoskey with their dog, RB.
Richard was an avid boater his entire life. He was a life-long member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, MI, a member of a ski club in Boyne City and a member of Bay Harbor Yacht Club. When he was younger, he enjoyed skiing, boating and watching basketball and football. He always loved fun social events. Later in life he found a great interest in watching the flight paths of jets and the paths of the freightliners on the Great Lakes.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Donna Deal of Petoskey; his daughter, Karyn Smilanich and his son-in-law, Robert Smilanich of Tampa, Florida; Karyn's mother, Richard's first wife of 24 years, Joanne Wilson Leche; 3 grandsons, Robert, Jacob and Noah Smilanich; step-granddaughter, Kaley Smilanich; step-daughter, Sandra Jarvis Zukowski; and step-son, John Jarvis.
Richard was cremated and the family held a small, private memorial at the family home in Petoskey.
Those wishing to honor Richard's memory are asked to make a donation to the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church at: 157 Chapel Hill Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49015