Carl Douglas “Doug” Piehl, 88, passed away on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Mallard Cove in Petoskey. Doug was a lifelong Petoskey resident, avid sports enthusiast, and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Doug was born on Nov. 26, 1935, to Violet and Carl Piehl, in Petoskey, one of four siblings who included the late Shirley Neill, the late Sally Hayes, and Judy VanAvery of Levering.

Doug was an athlete from his young years onward, excelling in basketball, football, golf and track. He was also very active in Petoskey’s baseball program, including in the city recreation league in the 1950s - before Petoskey High School had a baseball team. Doug graduated from PHS in 1954.

Once his sons Mike and Tracy were born, he dove into coaching them in all the sports he loved. He served as a coach for his boys’ Petoskey Little League teams from 1982-1990. During the 1980s, Doug ran the clock at what is now Central Elementary School’s gym, when it served as the home gym for Petoskey High School’s basketball programs - watching his son Tracy excel and set records on the court, like his father did. Doug also worked the gate at Curtis Stadium (the former PHS football field), selling football admission tickets through the 1980s - watching his son, Mike, excel on the football field, like his father did. He continued to participate in fastpitch softball, as a player and an umpire, in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also an avid bowler throughout his life. Doug believed in the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and how to deal with life’s everyday challenges.

Doug loved working on crossword puzzles, having coffee with his friends at J.W. Filmore’s restaurant regularly, and traveling the country with his wife, Cindy, to favorite destinations like Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., among many others. They enjoyed traveling to watch Mike and Tracy play in men’s fastpitch tournaments around the U.S. as well.

While Doug grew his family and their love of athletics, he also grew several businesses in the area, notably The Trophy Case, which has been in business for 42 years in various locations around Petoskey. Mike took over ownership of the family business in 2006, where he currently works with his wife and both sons. He is also remembered for owning and operating the Bay View Standard Gas Station (60s-70s) and The Pancake Barn (1977-1982).

Doug is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucinda “Cindy” Piehl; son Mike (Nancy) and grandsons Keegan and Ian Piehl, and Tracy’s sons, Evan and Drew Piehl; daughters from his first marriage Vicki (Bill) Hall, Susan Piehl, and Carol Knudsen, and grandchildren Katie Smith, Kayla Bytwerk, Jared Knudsen, Griffin Hall, and Andrew Hall. He was preceded in death by his son, Tracy, on Sept. 29, 2014. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Chris (Jim) Lutz, brother-in-law Bill Lovelace as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family funeral service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.  The family suggests any donations made in Doug’s memory, be sent to the Petoskey Athletic Department (Petoskey High School, 1500 Hill Street, Petoskey, MI 49770).