Fred Jim Searls, age 72, of Saline, MI, passed away at his home on Sunday, December 15, 2024. He was born on October 5, 1952 in New Brunswick, NJ, the son of the late Fred Hillis and Polly E. (Olson) Searls. On August 31, 1984, he married Deanna DeAngelis at the Presbyterian Church on Grosse Ile and they recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
After earning his D.D.S. from Northwestern University Dental School, Fred practiced dentistry in Trenton, where he served patients with care and compassion for over forty-five years. In 1997, he and his family moved to Saline, where Fred’s warmth and generosity quickly made him a vital part of the community he came to love.
Fred enjoyed a wide array of hobbies and interests. In his prime, he was an avid golfer and a long-distance runner, and always pushed himself to excel. In retirement, he took up rucking, a pursuit that blends walking and strength training by hiking with a weighted backpack—combining his love of staying active outdoors with his enthusiasm for connecting with neighbors and offering a helping hand. This balance of active engagement, relentless kindness, and community spirit defined Fred’s life and the legacy he leaves behind.
Along with his wife, Fred is survived by two sons, Justin (Becky) Searls and Jeremy Searls, both of Orlando, FL; one grandchild, Caden Hotchkiss of Gobles, MI; his nephew, Jay (Toni) Chezem of Ste. Genevieve, MO, and nieces Dawn (Brent) Whelan of Jefferson City, MO, and Serall (Dan) Chezem of St. Charles, MO.
In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his sister, Sally Chezem.
Funeral services for Fred will take place at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Following the service, guests are invited to a luncheon at Johnnie’s Bar, located at 130 N Main St in Onsted. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, December 20, 2024 and for one hour, beginning at noon, before the service on Saturday. Memorial contributions in honor of Fred may be made to the Huron Valley Humane Society.