Michael Joseph "Mike" Buckley

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, the world lost a great man when Michael Joseph Buckley succumbed to Lewy Body Dementia. Mike was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to Francis Joseph and Marjorie Elizabeth (Funk) Buckley on June 19, 1951. Mike married his beloved wife, Diane C. (Thornton) Buckley in Battle Creek on October 27, 2006; she survives. He is also survived by their children, Marc (Lexi) Beckley, Tim (Caity) Beckley, and Colleen (John) Ozment; four grandchildren, Miles and Madeline Beckley, Jameson and Gavin Ozment; his brothers and sisters, Cathie Wheaton, Peggy Kean, Patrick (Cindy) Buckley, Carroll (Pam) Buckley, Betty Jo (Art) Pardo, and Maureen (Steve) Ferguson; brother & sister-in-law, Kurt Thornton, Kathy Thornton; and several nieces & nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Terry Buckley. After graduating from Battle Creek St. Philip High School, Mike joined the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam as pilot flying nightly missions. After his service, Mike graduated from San Diego State University and went on to receive his Masters in Planning at Western Michigan University. Mike was the Planning Director for the City of Battle Creek for more than 30 years. After retiring, he went on to serve as planning director for Emmett Township and the Village of Athens, as well as serving as a Political Science professor at W.M.U.. He loved political science and amassed a large collection of Presidential Campaign items, which he shared with many local groups. One of his favorite memories was meeting Senator John McCain in an airport and having their picture taken together. McCain thanked Mike for his service to our country…and Mike, surprised, reciprocated. Mike could build or fix anything, and was particularly good at wood working. An avid fan of "The Monkees", he enjoyed listening to music, golfing with his friends, spending time with his family, and was a member of the Territorial Brewery and Handmap Brewery "Mug Club". The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 4th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where services to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 5th. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/2669751. The family has requested that masks be worn and that social distancing be observed during the visitation and funeral services. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. A Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at St. Philip Catholic Church on December 7, 2022, officiated by Rev. James Richardson. Memorials may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan) or the Frances Thornton Historical Fund at the Battle Creek Community Foundation.