Detlef Pavlovich

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Detlef Pavlovich, age 76, passed away on October 19, 2024. He died peacefully at his home in Ocala, Florida, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 29, 1948 as Detlef Franz Willy Hennig in Stolzenau, Germany. His mother Kates Hennig passed when he was very young after which he lived in a Kinderheim until age 5 when he came to America and was adopted by his aunt & uncle, Lucie (Hennig) and Ratko Pavlovich. He was proud of his German and Serbian heritage.

Detlef grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from Juneau High School in 1966. He ran long distance Cross County and won many medals. He worked at Allis Chalmers factory with his father until he decided to attend college at UW Milwaukee where he graduated with a Business degree in accounting. He was a proud, self-employed Certified Public Accountant who practiced in Milwaukee for 46 years.

Detlef met the love of his life, Kay in August 1970 and they were married August 14, 1971. Soon after they began their family with two beautiful children Chad and Sarah. Detlef was very proud of his children and was a wonderful father. He loved playing with them and shared his love of bowling, golf, music and cats. Detlef and Kay continued to share their love for bowling, golf and dancing in their later years in Florida until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018. After that they moved to Ocala, Florida and he often said the area reminded him of Wisconsin which he missed.

Detlef was a kind and compassionate man and always giving of himself and his time. He loved his church in Kettle Moraine and every Sunday he was there, he practiced his Open Door Ministry where he would greet everyone at the door. He also volunteered as Treasurer for the church and the Presbytery of Milwaukee. His generous spirit will be greatly missed. 

Detlef’s family and especially Kay would like to thank those who helped care for him: Andrea Rodriguez, Sandy Roberts, Robert & Sharon Spike, the ICU Team at AdventHealth Ocala, the Gentiva Hospice team and many others. Kay will always remember your kindness.

Detlef is survived by his beloved wife Kay Ellen Pavlovich (Davidson); son Chad Matthew Pavlovich; daughter Sarah Jean Ruck and son-in-law Benjamin Ruck; sister-in-law Marion McPhee (Davidson) and brother-in-law William McPhee; nephews James, Joel and Jeremy Coates. Further survived by cousins, great nieces & nephews, other relatives, friends and his kitties Jonny, Franky, Sammy and Scotty. Preceded in death by his mother Kates Hennig, parents Ratko and Lucie Pavlovich, his in-laws Robert and Jane Davidson and his brother-in-law John Davidson.

A Celebration of Detlef’s Life will be held on Friday, November 22 at Weissgerber’s Golden Mast, W349 N5293 Lacys Lane, Okauchee, Wisconsin from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 1:00pm at Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church, N66 W32690 County Road K, Hartland, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the funeral from 11:30am-1:00pm. Burial will follow the funeral service at The Gardens of Stone Bank.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org), the Presbytery of Milwaukee, or Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church.