Daniel “Dan” Marc Degen was the oldest child born to Donald John and Greta Mae Degen (Denault) on July 9, 1953. He passed away on December 8, 2025 in Brighton, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Greta as well as his grandparents, Peter and Clara Degen and Raymond and Ida Denault. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Bonnie M. Degen (Brown) as well as his beloved children Jason (Melissa) and granddaughter, Jillian, Melissa (Jim Botsford) and grandson, Daniel, Daren and grandsons, Hunter and Dylan and Jamie. He is also survived by his sisters, Debbie (Dan) Barnes and nephew, Taylor, Denise Erwin (Robert Fracchia) and nephew, Brent and Darlene Yee (Ed) and nieces, Darian and Ryan and nephew, Devon, along with his maternal aunts, Cheryl Lutz and Dianne Kirschke. He was also welcomed into his wife’s family by her siblings, Cedric (Rose) Brown, John (Bobbie Jo) Brown, Mary (Tom) McDonald, Patty (Pat) McGlinchey, Bob Brown, Jodie (Bart) Harris and Sue (Dave) McGuire and all of their children who loved their “fun” Uncle Dan.

Dan grew up on Kenneth Street in Redford, Michigan. He went to Thurston High School, where he met his future wife, Bonnie.  Before graduating in 1971, he starred as Conrad Birdie in “Bye Bye Birdie” and worked as a valet at DRC. He moved on to attend the University of Michigan where he was bouncing at a bar in Brighton with DJ Arthur Penhallow.  He married his beautiful bride, Bonnie, on July 21, 1973 and they began married life in Brighton in a duplex alongside his aunt, Sherry and her husband, Dick.  

Before beginning a career in home building and real estate, Dan ran a successful snowplowing company with his father where he hired all who needed a little extra money. He was instrumental in helping create and build Two Lakes Building Company and Double D Realty, which was the premier vacation builder in Houghton and Higgins Lake, Michigan.  In 2017, Dan transitioned into real estate sales and joined Remerica United Realty in Novi, Michigan.  He retired from the industry in 2022, having helped countless clients buy and sell homes.  His favorite quote was “we are writing!”

He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in West Bloomfield, Michigan for most of his adult life.  While there, Dan was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and served as an usher.

His passion for golf led him to play on many courses across the country, including his favorite, Pebble Beach.  A highlight for Dan was attending the Masters golf tournament as well as looking forward to his weekly golf league and the many friends that he made on the course.  He loved sports and cheered for the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers during their championship seasons.  He was rooting for the Detroit Lions until the very end.  He loved playing euchre, even when his partner was a “stump,” bowling and racquetball.  While Dan had a large presence, he was a gentle and loving soul who befriended all who came into contact with him.

While he loved sports, he loved nothing more than his family and spending time with them, especially in Houghton and Higgins Lake.  He traveled to Aruba, Jamaica, New Orleans, Disneyworld and Mexico with his family and especially loved his annual summer family vacations in West Michigan.  When in West Bloomfield, where he lived for 34 years, he opened his home to countless family and friends for pool parties, barbecues and other gatherings.

Memorial Visitation for Daniel will be held on Sunday, December 14th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a 5:00 p.m. Rosary & Eulogy Service, at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Gathering will continue on Monday, December 15th, at 10:30 a.m at Prince of Peace Church, 4300 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, until the time of his Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. The family will be holding a luncheon immediately following the service at Gino’s in Keego Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a gift in Dan’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Dementia Society of America.