John Darell Boytim

Darell was a life-long resident of Center Line and Warren, MI, with about a 10-year residency in Metamora from approx. 1988 – 1998. He was an active member of the Catholic church, having attended St. Clement of Center Line, MI, K-12, graduating as class President in 1958. Darell was also an Honorary Brother of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Michigan Technological University, Beta Pi chapter. Darell honorably served our country in the US Army. He was a 26-year veteran of Warren, MI Fire Department, where he retired as Fire Marshall. He was also an active member of Millwrights, Local 1102 from before and after serving on Fire Department. Darell was a leader to many, from his days captaining his St. Clement football team and other sports, to being his graduating class president, to moving up the ranks to become the Fire Marshall of the Warren Fire Department. He also served as Vice President on the department’s city Board of Arbitration, and even coached St. Clement youth baseball and other sports for family and friends. Darell loved and respected his friends on the Warren Police department, but also loved beating them in the annual Fire vs. Police city football game.

When Darell was not working, he loved to golf, bowl and share a social setting with friends. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved small game and whitetail deer hunting, especially with his Montana family and lifelong hunting buddies and sons, Jim and Christopher. He also enjoyed taking every chance he could to chase schools of walleye, lake perch and salmon with his Ohio cousins, sons, and friends across the Great Lakes and Ontario fisheries. He enjoyed a lifetime of laughs and lasting memories at his Port Austin cabin with family and friends, a tradition that will be carry on for generations to follow! He was perhaps one of the best Euchre players of all-time…as so many at deer camp or family outings could testify to be true. Darell loved to read, especially old Louis L’Amour novels that, in many ways, personified his father’s early years as a cowboy in the Dakotas and Montana; something Darell was understandably very proud of his family heritage. He always had to have his Sunday paper and watched his daily news to stay up-to-date on Metro Detroit.

Darell was also an exceptional firehouse cook and avid eater, collecting piles of recipes from newspaper and magazine clippings that he would proudly tweak. He was also, an exceptional snorer…so thank God he was such a great cook at the firehouse! He was a huge fan of desserts, especially pies and ice cream, always quoting his uncle George, “why cut a pie and waste it!” More than anything, Darell loved spending time with all his grandchildren, whether to perform seemingly magic feats, or to make them stacks of pancakes. He was known for his toughness, but also for his quick wit and undeniable sense of humor and caring heart. Darell truly loved life, his firemen brotherhood, his community he served and above all the pleasure of the outdoors, especially when he could share it with family and friends.

To help in your grieving, please know that Darell had a loving home-made meal from his lifelong love, partner and mother of his children, Martha, surrounding by all his granddaughters, and close family members. The meal was finished with multiple desserts, piled with ice-cream, and a few hours of laughter, to simply say with a smile, he was ready for bed, where he slipped off to an eternal sleep.

Darell (Dad), you are already missed dearly. Thank you for all the lives you touched, for all the laughs and memories, while guiding so many of us along the way. You will forever be cherished and in our hearts. God bless you and may you be happy in your reunion with family, friends and your eternal brothers of the Warren Fire Department…especially with Uncle Al, Marv, Bob, Bill K, Bill F, Ken, and so many more great men.

Darell was the former husband of Martha Boytim. Loving father of James (Lisa) Anderson, Karen Rachwal, and Christopher (Lisa) Boytim. Cherished grandfather of Tarra (Nickol), Shayna, Shelby, Darby, Allison, and Zoe. Dear brother of Patrick (Marilyn) Boytim. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation for Darell will be held Wednesday, January 19th from 3-9pm with a 6pm Scripture and Eulogy Service at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI. He will lie in state on Thursday at 9:30am until the time of his Funeral Mass at 10:30am at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families- St. Clement Site, 25252 Van Dyke Ave, Center Line, MI.

Memorial donations in Darell's name are appreciated to either the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Please share memories of Darell at his guest book below.