November 30, 1939 – March 11, 2025
Julia (Jones) Deemer, age 85, of Interlochen, passed away in her home on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 with family by her side.
Julia will be remembered for her loving service to family, friends, church, and community. She lived a life of devotion to her husband and 3 children, but also to many others. Julia served as leader in 4-H and Scouts, managed the Evelyn Heim building at the NW Michigan Fair, taught Sunday School, cooked and coordinated church dinners, sewed with the church quilting group, and much more. She served as president of the United Methodist Women’s group (UMW), then as the District UMW representative and Vice President, then as UMW conference delegate, and finally on the international United Methodist Board of Global Ministries that launched her into service in Tonga, England, Mexico, Zimbabwe, and India. During this time, she was the Inland Township clerk for 12 years!
Although Julia’s broad interests and many commitments kept her busy, she always had time for her family. Family held top priority in her heart from childhood.
Julia Jane Jones was born at home in Frankfort, Michigan to Frank Auberon Jones and Ruth Frances (Durance) Jones. She was the 5th of 6 children, with an older brother, Dick, 3 older sisters, Luella, Helen, and Pearl, and a younger brother John. As a child, Julia helped her father in his print shop, and at the age of 16 she became Gwen Frostic’s first employee in her press-craft printing studio. She graduated second in her class from Frankfort High School in 1958 and studied Library Science at Eastern Michigan College for 2 years.
Julia married Orson Albert Deemer on June 18, 1960, launching an adventurous life at military bases in Michigan’s upper peninsula, Tripoli, Libya, Kentucky, the Philippines, and Hawaii. When Orson retired, they moved back to Michigan with their 3 children, Sharon, Roger, and Bruce. Orson and Julia built their retirement home in Benzie County with their own hands, and she lived there the rest of her life.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Orson; parents: Frank & Ruth (Durance) Jones; and siblings: Dick, Luella, Helen, Pearl, and John. She is survived by her children: Sharon (Charles) Deemer, Roger (Amanda) Deemer, Bruce (Lisa) Deemer; grandchildren: Petter Hurich, Daisy Hurich, Reed Deemer, Nolan Deemer, Sage Deemer, Laura (Adam) Behnke, and David Deemer.
A Life Celebration Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Lake Ann United Methodist Church, 6583 1st Street, Lake Ann, MI. Interment will be in Inland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Lake Ann UMC designated for United Women of Faith. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
Last Updated on March 13, 2025