Zephyeir "Zeph" LaChance

August 3, 1932 - December 7, 2020

Zeph LaChance, 88, of Saginaw, our hardworking, generous, and most loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend went Home to be with the Lord on the evening of Monday, December 7, 2020 at Ascension – St. John’s Hospital in Detroit. Zeph was born in Perkins, Michigan on August 3, 1932, the youngest boy of 14 children to the late Joseph and Victorine (LaBresh) LaChance. At the age of 17, Zeph signed the papers and joined the U.S. Army, serving during Korea as an infantryman. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart Award and a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 1566. While growing up in Perkins, Zeph happened to meet a young lady by the name of Marlene Rogers, through her brother Bill. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on July 17, 1954. Their marriage was blessed with two children, 59 years, and countless memories. When the young family moved to Saginaw, Zeph began working with his brother, Delore, where he learned his lifelong craft of carpentry. Ever since he was young, Zeph always loved working with wood. Zeph will forever be remembered as a talented furniture and cabinetmaker He also enjoyed hunting at the 5+1 camp (the one affectionately stood for the one brother-in-law who joined along), fishing, and time spent with family and friends. Zeph was a friend to all and a wonderful neighbor. Zeph led by example. His gracious and devoted ways will live on in the hearts of his family and friends for generations to come. He leaves to carry on his legacy, his daughter, Linda (Mark) Gehringer and son, Dale LaChance; grandkids, Jason Gehringer, Michael Gehringer, and Lindsey (Rannie) Bond; his great-grandson, light of his life, and namesake, Zeph LaChance Knapp; sisters, Delphine Tucker and Delores Rife; sister-in-law, Ruth Rodgers; best friend and nephew, Lawrence Delmont, along with a great number of nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Zeph was welcomed Home to Heaven by his faithful wife, Marlene LaChance, who preceded him on March 3, 2014; his siblings, David (Limpi) LaChance, Delore (Bertha) LaChance, Albert LaChance, Elmer LaChance, Tony (Eleanor) LaChance, Wilfred “Fritz” LaChance, Emma (Charlie) Delmont, Helen LaChance, Marie (Russell) Westman, Bertha LaChance; brothers-in-law, Clayton Tucker, Neal Rife, and Dennis Rodgers, along with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Ruth (Sivertsen) Rodgers. Zeph’s family will be present to receive visitors on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 10:00 AM until the time of his 4:00 PM Life Celebration at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services (formerly Reitz-Herzberg), 1550 Midland Rd., between State & Gratiot. Entombment will be held privately in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The entire family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Shore Pointe Nursing Home in St. Clair Shores and the E.R. Staff of St. John’s Hospital in Detroit for their compassionate care of Zeph through the years. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com.