Farmington Hills man who was devoted to family and friends died of COVID-19 at age 30 – Detroit Free Press

Daniel Clarke Petersen(Photo: Provided by Debra Petersen)

This obituary is part of We Will Remember, a series about those weve lost to the coronavirus.

Daniel Clarke Petersen, who stood 6-foot-10, was known as a gentle giant who always had a smile on his face and who loved spending time with family and friends.

Petersen, 30, died April 22, 2020, at the University of Michigan Hospital of complications from COVID-19.

He was a graduate of Farmington High School beforeattendingVisions Unlimited, a post-secondary program that serves young adults with developmental and physical disabilities.

"He learned life skills in regard to transitioning out of school, including job skills,"his mother, Debra Petersen, said about his time at Visions Unlimited.

Daniel Petersen at a swim meet in March 2008(Photo: Provided by Debra Petersen)

Petersen participated in the Special Olympics on Team Farmington and enjoyed various sports, especially swimming, in his free time.

Hewas very family-oriented and always celebrated the success of others, recalls his sister Bethany Petersen, who added:Daniel loved his family and was so proud of his sisters. He would tell everyone how his sister Katie played volleyball for U of M Dearborn, that his sister Lauren was a wonderful teacher and that his sister Bethany is a child life specialist at U of M."

Some of his favorite pastime activities includedplaying Xbox, being in a gamers club and participating in other activities at the Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville. The centers mission is to help individuals with autism and related challenges reach their full potential in work, relationships and in the community.

From left to right: Eric Wasiloff, Lauren Wasiloff (holding James Wasiloff), Daniel Petersen, Debbie Petersen, Don Petersen, Katie Petersen and Bethany Petersen.(Photo: Provided by Debra Petersen)

Bethany Petersen recalled that her brother was known for being kind and caring and always made sure that his friends had somewhere to go on holidays.

"He would invite them into our family to celebrate days such as Thanksgiving, Christmasand Easter with us, and treated them so well, making sure they were fed and had gifts to open," she said.

At times, Petersen was a man of few words, according to Bethany, but when it came to history, he loved to talk with veterans about their military experiences.

He also enjoyedtrying different foods, going to themoviesandvisitingthe assisted-living home wherehis grandmother lived. While there, he spent time being a bingo caller.

Daniel Petersen(Photo: Provided by Debra Petersen)

Petersen loved animals, especially his golden retriever named Brody, and was a volunteer with the Humane Society.

Bethany Petersen had COVID-19 first and suffered extreme fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, weakness, distorted taste, chills and body aches. Hermother also became sick and tested positive for the coronavirus.

I still have ongoing fatigue and headaches since recovering from COVID, Debra Petersen said.

Petersen and his father went to get tested after they started to feel ill.

It progressed very quickly for him, Debra Petersen said of her son.

On April 17, Petersenwas admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital. On April 19, he was put on a ventilator, and hedied a few days later.

Two hours after Petersen died, his father, who was experiencing a high fever, chills, body shakes, shortness of breath and distorted taste, was admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital, but he recovered.

Petersen is survived by his parents, Donald and Debra (Crane); sisters Lauren (Eric), Katherine and Bethany; two nephews; grandmother Elizabeth Crane, and aunts, uncles and cousins.

"We are resting in the happy memories of Daniel and knowing he lived a life of love and service," Bethany Petersen said.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Michigan Humane Society or the Living and Learning Enrichment Center.

The family has a visitation planned 4-8 p.m. July 23 at Heritage Park in Farmington and a celebration of life at 3 p.m. July 24 at Greenmeadin Livonia.

If you have a family member or close friend who has died from COVID-19 and you would like to share their story, please visit our memorial wall and select Share a story.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editorat the Detroit Free Press.Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/05/23/farmington-hills-man-devoted-family-and-friends-died-covid-19/5167393001/

Read more:

Farmington Hills man who was devoted to family and friends died of COVID-19 at age 30 - Detroit Free Press