Dean Lasley
Dean Devoie Lasley, 83, of Ludington, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital following a brief illness.
For more than 50 years, Dean was a respected fixture in the Ludington community as the owner of Dean’s Auto Body. Known for his exceptional craftsmanship, honesty, and willingness to help others, he repaired thousands of vehicles over his career and built lasting friendships with generations of customers.
Dean was born at his grandmother’s house on March 4, 1943, in Custer, to Roy and Bernice (McKenzie) Lasley. He was raised in Branch, where he grew up on a farm that fostered his love for animals. He had fond memories of the farm animals and pets including the hunting dogs he raised with his father and the many cocker spaniels.
Music was always a big part of Dean and his immediate family’s lives who were all musically inclined. Many holidays were spent with Dean and his siblings singing as their mother, Bernice, played piano. Dean played saxophone in the Custer High School/Mason County Eastern band and continued to play professionally after school.
Dean played saxophone and harmonica with Freddie and the Freeloaders before 1964. He was a member of The D-Notes band who were managed by Johnny Urban, owner of Johnny’s Bandstand in Custer. Dean also was a member of the band Danny and the Juniors, most notably known for the hit song “Let’s Go To The Hop,” and toured throughout the eastern United States from 1964 to 1965. Dean continued playing the saxophone and various musical instruments throughout his life. Dean was very proud of his brother David’s successful music career.
Dean co-owned Bob & Dean’s Leonard Service Complete Automobile Service in Custer. When he decided to go to college and sell his part of the business back to his partner, he enrolled in Muskegon School of Business (now Baker College), where he earned an associate degree in business in 1966.
Dean met Joyce LeLugas, of Scottville, on August 4, 1962, at Johnny’s, and they married on July 2, 1966 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Scottville. Afterwards, Dean and Joyce moved to Whitehall, where they started raising their family and Dean started working at Thiel’s Body Shop in Muskegon. Dean’s passing was one day shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. Their nearly six decades of marriage were marked by unwavering love, partnership, and devotion to family.
In 1971, Dean and Joyce returned to the Ludington area, purchasing property on Iris Road, where they spent the next 25 years raising their family. Around 1974, he purchased the building at 401 South Washington Avenue, where Dean founded Dean’s Auto Body. Dean remained active in the shop until his retirement in 2021. Many in the Ludington area measured Dean not only by the quality of his work but by his fairness, integrity, and willingness to help anyone in need.
Outside of work, Dean had an endless passion for anything with an engine. Whether it was classic cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, tractors, or electric bikes, he loved to ride. Among his favorite vehicles were his 1941 Ford, Triumph TR3, and his beloved 1969 Chrysler Newport.
Dean also gave generously to his community. He volunteered with the Knights of Columbus, the Pere Marquette Township Fire Department, and the Ludington High School Athletic Boosters Club. He looked forward to weekly snowmobile rides throughout Mason County with close friends and cherished the annual deer hunting trips that became lifelong traditions. He was also a dedicated supporter of his children’s athletic pursuits, coaching Little League teams and rarely missing a game.
One of Dean’s greatest passions was fast-pitch softball. As player-manager of the Dean’s Auto Body Fast-Pitch Softball Team, he spent nearly two decades competing during an era when Mason County boasted more than 100 softball teams. Every summer, he proudly entered the team in the annual Coleman Softball Tournament, where players and their families camped together, creating friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime. In the latter part of his playing career, Dean suited up for Lucky Draw and other teams. Dean often smiled when recalling that he continued playing into his mid-50s and was usually the oldest player on the field.
Following his softball career, Dean became an even more devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers. For more than 30 years, he watched nearly every Tigers game, analyzing each pitch and managerial decision as though he were still managing a team himself. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Little River Casino in Manistee. Dean was proud of and enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren.
Dean is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce Lasley (LeLugas); his children, Dean Lasley II of Ludington, Tina Lasley of Los Angeles, Cali., Tami Lasley of North Liberty, Iowa, and Tanya Lasley of Kalamazoo; his grandchildren, Devin Kunkel-Lasley of Ludington, Kelsey Steen-Lasley of North Liberty, Iowa, and Chase Lasley of North Liberty, Iowa; along with many beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jason Edward Lasley; parents, Roy and Bernice Lasley; in-laws, Edward and Louise (Adriaensen) LeLugas; siblings, Judy Nash, David Lasley, and Julie Lasley; brothers-in-law, Gale Nash, Jim LeLugas and Jim Adamczyk; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Adamczyk and Val Renwick; grandparents Elmer McKenzie and Mabel (Saxton) McKenzie Bacon and Henry and Dora (Holley) Lasley of Anna, Ill.ousin Patricia Kaufman and husband James Kaufman Sr. of Livonia; uncle John McKenzie; aunt Rhoda Belle (McKenzie) Cameron, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, including from the Anna, Ill. area.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 11 to 1 p.m. at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, 309 S. Washington Avenue, Ludington followed by a funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held after the funeral service at Fraternal Order of Eagles located at 108 South Harrison, Ludington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Friends and family are also invited to plant a tree in Dean’s memory or share a favorite memory in the online guestbook at beaconfh.com.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
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