Catherine Sue Dettling

Catherine “Cathy” Sue Dettling, 50, of Black River, died on Sunday May 19, 2013 at home. She was born July 13, 1962 in Ann Arbor, Mich. to Charles and Janet (MacDougall) Dettling. She was raised in Manchester, Mich. and moved to Alcona County in 1987. She was a member of the Alcona Township Fire Department for 23 years. She held the rank of captain at Station 1 (in Black River) and was the medical officer for the department where she was responsible for all medical operations, supplies, policies and standard operating guidelines. She was a founding member of the Alcona County Dive Team and was certified as an advanced diver. She was awarded the Thunder Bay Firefighter's Association Firefighter of the Year 2012. She was a member of Alcona County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) for 18 years where she was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician Specialist. For the last eight years she was an instructor coordinator who taught Medical First Responder and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. She was also a hot air balloon student pilot and enjoyed kayaking, riding her motorcycle, being outdoors, camping and traveling. Her favorite hobby was spending time in her workshop tinkering. Ms. Dettling is survived by her companion, Pamela (P.J.) Wilson of Black River; one son, Keith Thompson of Harrisville; three brothers, Curt (Brenda) Dettling of Milan, Mich., Joe (Mary Ann) Dettling of Manchester, Mich. and Bruce (Michelle) Dettling of Manchester, Mich.; three sisters, Jill (Greg) Bondy of Manchester, Mich., Debra (Jim) Barth of Harrisville and Cheryl (David) Bauer of Tecumseh, Mich.; 16 nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and nephews; one aunt, Susan (Ed) Gardner of Interlochen, Mich.; and her canine companion, Shelby. She was preceded in death by one son, Andy Thompson, on May 28, 2007. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 23 from 10 a.m. until the funeral at 11 a.m. at Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. The Rev. Chrissy Bright will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Joy Cemetery, Haynes Township. Memorial donations may be made to the Alcona Township Fire Department Dive Team, Hospice of Michigan, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine Sue Dettling, please visit our flower store.