Karl Francis DeLisle

Karl Francis DeLisle, of Grand Blanc, MI (formerly Royal Oak), passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2025, at the age of 86. He is survived by his sons John (Liz) and Joe (Annie), and grandsons Anthony and Derek. A Funeral Mass will take place at 9:00am on Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, 701 Church Street, Flint, Michigan. Father Anthony Strouse to officiate with burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Karl will be taken to church to lie in state from 7:30am until the time of the mass at 9:00am. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Karl’s tribute wall at martinfuneralhome.com.

Born and raised in Berkley, MI, Karl’s lifelong love of learning shaped every part of his life. He studied at LaSalette, St. John’s, Conception Seminary, Sacred Heart, and earned a master’s from the University of Detroit. He began his career teaching in Catholic schools before serving over 30 years in the archdiocese, retiring after being Pastoral Minister at St. Isidore Parish. He was a man of deep faith, intellectual curiosity, and quiet generosity—especially toward the poor and those in need of counsel. He and his beloved wife Mary Ann, whom he married in 1975, shared 48 years of marriage before her passing in 2023. Together, they built a home rooted in faith, family, and love.

Karl nurtured his sons and grandsons with the same devotion he gave to his studies. He encouraged them to trust and develop their talents, researching conservation journals for John, finding training programs for Joe, and teaching them sports stats as toddlers so they could trade cards with older kids. Twice a week for two decades, he took them to the YMCA to play sports together, and he never missed a chance to cheer them on from the sidelines, parking lots, gyms, backyards, and stadiums – from traveling around the state for travel baseball, then all the way around the eastern/southern US to follow Joe as he pitched for U of D. Karl was never shy about calling in a favor—once arranging a private afternoon for Joe’s class with Justice Clarence Thomas inside the Supreme Court. He was deeply proud of his sons and loved sharing updates on their lives and careers, especially John’s ecological restoration work and the opportunity to see the brothers work together. He adored his grandsons—debating baseball with Anthony and cherishing every visit, crawl and photo of baby Derek. His encouragement and love, and his positive, poised, insightful, and joyfully responsive approach to guiding his family will be sorely missed.

A lifelong Detroit sports fan, Karl rarely missed a Tigers game and loved retelling how he once smuggled a radio under his pillow to hear Harry Heilmann’s broadcasts—until he got caught; but with typical Karl parabolic humor, he made the best of it, and used it as a teaching tool. He was a keen listener, a wise advisor, and a prolific writer, contributing weekly parish bulletin columns and recently publishing a genealogical article with the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan.

Karl lived the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8: he was patient, kind, never envious or boastful, always hopeful, and enduring in love—though, as he’d admit with a smile, perhaps not entirely without pride when it came to his family. As a devoted husband/father and Catholic, Karl loved our Lord, the Blessed Mother, Sacred Scripture and the Rosary – leading rosaries each day. He spent hours a day reading and meditating on the Word of God and spent many hours late into night praying for those who asked for prayers, many of whom he never met.

Karl is survived by his sons John (Elizabeth) and Joseph (Anne), grandsons Anthony and Derek, brother Armand (Barbara) DeLisle, several nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends. He was preceded in death by parents Armand and Charlotte (Huhn) DeLisle, in-laws Elmer and Lauretta (Weir) Wagner, brother Gerald (Connie) DeLisle, brother-in-law Charles (Karen) Wagner.

The family is especially grateful to Deacon Dave Jansen for his faithful visits and for bringing Karl Holy Communion over the past two and a half years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider having Masses offered for the repose of Karl’s soul or making a memorial contribution to St. Matthew Catholic Church.