Daniel, "Danny" Heard

Heard, Daniel

Howell, Michigan

His Legacy… Daniel William Heard, “Danny” 78, passed away March 3, 2025. He was born on November 12, 1946, in Highland Park, Michigan. Danny married the love of his life and soul mate, Paula Jourdan, on January 22, 1966, in Novi, Michigan. He will be remembered as a man of simple, deep faith, with a childlike heart. Danny’s mission in life was to make others smile and laugh with his quick wit and great sense of humor. Danny had a gift of taking life’s negatives and turning them into positives. His signature line was, “always look up”.

Danny loved life, loved people and loved baseball! He led an active life playing baseball, coaching softball, recording statistics, playing professional putt-putt golf, bowling, writing 3 published books, ballroom dancing with his beautiful wife and even tap dancing and singing in a musical! :) He was also active in the Macomb Elks Lodge #1009 in Illinois and a faithful churchgoer, most recently a member of Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Brighton, MI) and Bethany Baptist Church of (Waterford, MI). After the death of their youngest daughter (and grandbaby-to-be), Danny became a professional clown, “Eekers,” in honor of her, and he found great purpose and passion in counseling others who had lost children as he began his 28 year calling of facilitating the Parents of Hope class at Cornerstone EPC. This passion led to the job Danny felt the Lord had prepared him for all his life, Patient Advocate at Detroit Receiving Hospital (ER). He calmed the hearts of family members as their loved ones were brought in with often fatal injuries and he dealt with the homeless, finding them shelter. They were his heart. He wrote about these experiences in his last book “Daniel in the Lions Den.“

His Family… Danny will be missed by his loving wife, Paula Lee Heard; his children, Tamatha Lee (David) Egner, Amy Susan Heard; siblings, Stephen (Catherine) Heard, Pamela (Bill) Routhier; sister in laws, Diana Jourdan, Deborah Mathes; grandchildren Alexandria Simich, Daniel (Donna) Egner, Morgan Egner, Madeline (Steve) Wyatt ; great grandchildren, Landon Simich, Lorelei Simich, Luke Simich, Skylar Wyatt, Savannah Wyatt; great grandchild to be, Egner Baby (due in July); his fur babies Blacktop and Boots; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Gertrude Heard; daughter, Danielle Diana Heard, granddaughter, Scarlett Dee Heard; brother in law, Charles Mathes.

His Farewell… Daniel’s family and friends will gather 2:00-5:00 PM, Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Howell Memorial Chapel in Howell, Michigan. His Community Farewell will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM (10 AM Gathering) at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Howell Memorial Chapel in Howell with a burial directly following the service at Tyrone Memorial Gardens in Fenton, MI. Pastor Dennis Henderson will serve as celebrant. Memorial contributions are suggested to New Hope Center For Grief Support in Northville, MI,  St. Jude Children’s’ Research Hospital, or Children's Foundation. Please leave a message of comfort for Danny's family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.

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