Obituaries

Arlo David Hamel, age 69, of Dafter, Michigan, died on April 5, 2026, at his home. He was born on February 25, 1957, in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, to Arlo M. and Fern (Carrick) Hamel.

Arlo grew up in Cedarville and Taylor, Michigan, and attended Cedarville High School. He began working with his father at the young age of twelve. Over the years, he worked for his dad at Snows Dock in Cedarville. When his father sold the family business to him, he ran it for several years before retiring due to illness in his fifties.

Arlo was a proud member of the Trappers’ Association. He had a deep love for the outdoors, especially trapping, a passion that began when his mother started taking him along to run trap lines when he was just two years old. He also enjoyed building traps and lures, as well as woodworking, camping, and hunting with friends and family. A natural storyteller, Arlo loved sharing stories and memories, often bringing laughter to those around him. He could almost always be found in the woods, doing what he loved most.

Arlo is survived by his wife, Vicki Hamel of Dafter; daughter, Christina (Dan) Burby of Reedsville, Wisconsin; sons, Richard Ward III of Pickford, Michigan, and Tim (Kimi) Ward of Hessel, Michigan; sister, Alana Kemper of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; brother-in-law, Rob Visnaw of Acworth, Georgia; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; best friends, Danny Gilbert of Detroit, Michigan, and Dutchy Chandonais of Lake Linden, Michigan; and dog, Haylie.

Arlo was preceded in death by his parents, Arlo M. and Fern; sisters, Gertrude Visnaw and Hamel and Rose Ann McMillian; brother-in-law, Mick Kemper; and mother and father-in-law, Barbara and John Durish.

Visitation and the Funeral Service will be held on May 30, 2026, at Family Life Funeral Homes, 24549 S. M-129, Pickford, Michigan. Time will be announced at a later date.

Arlo’s final resting place will be at Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville, Michigan.

Family Life Funeral Homes - Pickford assisted with the arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.