Laverne "Verne" Marvin Dubay

Died at his home on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. He was born on January 15, 1932, the youngest child of Harry and Dora Dubay in Saginaw, Michigan. He attended Saginaw schools and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent 4 years serving his country on an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea. Upon his return to Saginaw, he met Lucille Gehrcke and they married in June of 1958 and enjoyed 66 loving years together.

From a young age, Verne loved working with his hands and had a special talent for woodworking. He put that to good use with his interest in magic. He often made his own magic tricks and enjoyed performing them at family gatherings and at his daughter’s school events. He belonged to a magic club in Saginaw for many years.

Verne spent his career as a builder specializing in custom cabinets. His skills were appreciated by doctors and dentists in the Saginaw area that requested unique cabinets for their needs. He remodeled many kitchens and built many additions all while filling cabinet and building request of his 3 daughters. He built their first home in Saginaw as well as 3 cottages on Wixom Lake. The final cottage was to be their retirement home which they enjoyed for many years until they moved to Battle Creek to be closer to their daughters.

Fishing and family brought him much enjoyment. There were lots of family memories made at Wixom Lake, water skiing, fishing and passing on his building skills to his girls, sons-in-laws and grandchildren. He liked to have fun and could be considered by many to be the life of the party.

He and Lucille were members of Our savior Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Gladwin. He volunteered whenever there was a need for a repair or a need for a handy man. When he moved to Battle Creek, he was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his daughters, Susan (Kimball) Wilson, Mimi (Mike) Rhoades, Laurie (Eldon) Langworthy, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church on, Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1:00p.m. to 2:00p.m., prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1079 Riverside Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 S. M18, Gladwin, MI 48624. www.henryfuneralhome.org