Rhea June DeSantis

DeSantis, Rhea - age 96 of Grand Blanc and Oscoda, passed away on December 21, 2025. In accordance with Rhea's wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of her Life will be announced and held at a future date. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Rhea's memory to Shiawassee Hospice House - A Haven of Rest (www.shiawasseehospice.org).

Rhea was born on May 31, 1929 in Flint, Michigan to the late Carl and Marion (Smith) DeCou. A lifelong resident of Michigan, she and her sister, Joan, grew up in Flint. Rhea worked briefly for a bank in Denver, Colorado but returned to Flint and met her husband, Frank during a vacation adventure that led her from Flint, to New York, to Bermuda. He was stationed there in service to the Navy. They married a short time later and following Frank’s discharge, they lived in New Jersey where they welcomed their two sons, James and Michael. Soon after that, they returned to Rhea’s hometown of Flint where they welcomed their third child, Marianne.

Rhea was a gifted secretary who exhibited not only great organizational and mathematical skills, but a wonderful knack for ‘never meeting a stranger.’ She loved people, and her colleagues always enjoyed her humor and kind heart. Many became lifelong friends. She worked at Dupont as a secretary, then at McGrath Junior High School, and finally as an office manager welcoming patients to the dental practice of Dr David Brown. There she worked happily until her retirement in 1994.

Retirement led her to Lakewood Shores in Oscoda. There she enjoyed weekly bridge club and entertaining the many friends and family members who came to visit. She also became an active member of Sacred Heart church and remained devoted to her faith.

Her last years were spent with family and at Symphony of Linden where she resided until her passing on December 21st. Her many friends and family will miss her deeply.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Tricia) DeSantis of Davison and Marianne (Steve) Evans of Warren. Grandchildren, Dan (Mary) Evans; Rachel (Jason) Anderson; Bethany (Dani) Evans; Nick (Taylor) DeSantis; Christina (Ryan) Thayer. Great-Grandchildren, Lukas, August, Archer and Eliana who will arrive in January 2026. Rhea is also survived by many nieces and nephews and she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; son, James; Sister, Joan.

Online condolences and tributes may be shared on Rhea's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.