Ernest Joseph Michaud

MICHAUD, Ernest (Ernie) Joseph - Of Grand Blanc, age 84, died Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at the home of his son, David, on Lake Shannon in Fenton, Michigan, surrounded by family. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11AM Friday, May 25, 2007 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1227 East Bristol Road in Burton, Father Gary L. McInnis officiating. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to the Genesee County Humane Society, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Children's Wish Foundation, Burton Senior Citizens Center or Jesuit Patna Missions. Visitation 6-8PM Thursday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Mr. Michaud will be at the church from 10:30AM Friday until the time of the Mass. Ernest was devoted to his grandchildren, Anne Marie, Bryan, Bob, Laura Marie, Andrew and Sarah; and to his children, Kathi, Cherie and Dave. They were his pride, inspiration and motivation. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada on March 21, 1923, to Hector and Violet (Gavard) Michaud. He graduated from Thorald (Ontario, Canada) High School in 1941 and served in the European Theater during World War II in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He graduated from General Motors Institute, Flint, Michigan in 1950, with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and also attended the University of Michigan for graduate studies. He attained state certification as a Professional Engineer in 1954. He worked at General Motors of Canada in St. Catharines, then AC and Buick in Flint as an engineer, retiring in 1980. He was former president of the Flint Rock and Gem Club, active member of Burton Senior Citizens, former president of the Legion of Mary, founding father of Midwest Faceting Club and a member of Flint Wood Carvers Club and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. For several years, he taught class in star ruby sapphire polishing through the Mott Foundation, and published an instruction book, entitled, Steps to the Stars, detailing the process. An interest in genealogy led him to research and document the history of the Michaud families dating back to 1602. Ernie had several other hobbies, including quilting, woodworking, woodcarving, rock hounding, jewelry making with precious gems, stamp and

coin collecting. He also made Rosaries for the missions in Tanzania. He married Katherine (Kay) Rose Spangler on May 24, 1952 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Flint, Michigan. He and Kay traveled extensively through Canada and the United States, as well as nine countries in Europe. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Katherine Rose (Spangler) Michaud; 2 daughters, Kathryn Ann Dahlie and her husband, Dr. Peter Dahlie of Phillips, Wisconsin, Cheryl Louise Michaud-Walsh and her husband, Milo Walsh of Grand Blanc; 1 son, David Brian Michaud and his wife Laura (Hicks) Michaud of Fenton, Michigan; 6 grandchildren also survive, Anne Marie Dahlie of Madison, Wisconsin, Bryan Peter Dahlie of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Robert David Walsh and fiancee' Kacy Nicole Reding of Tyler, Texas, Laura Marie Walsh of Grand Blanc, Andrew David Michaud and Sarah Elisabeth Michaud of Fenton, Michigan. Other survivors include 2 sisters, Mildred Marie Legros of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and Isabel Mary Elizabeth Ely of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada; his godchild, Jane Ely Michaud of Thorald, Ontario, Canada; 1 half-sister, Marie Marielle Corbeil and her husband, Albert Alain of Pointe Gatineau, Quebec, Canada; and by several nieces and nephews, Richard E., Robert, Judy, Dennis, Marion, Terry, David, Barbara, Richard L., Margaret, Teddy, Leonard, David, John, Madaline, Anne Marie, Edward, Suzanne, Patty, Paula, Paul and Mary Jo. He is also survived by his special nephews, Robert McElyea of Flint, Michigan and Charles McElyea (Mary) and sons, Charles and James of Frankfort, Germany; sisters-in-law, Helen McElyea of Flint, Michigan and Kathleen Michaud of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; sponsored child, Elijah Willey of Sparta, North Carolina. He will also be missed by his Sheltie, Bonnie Sue and his cat, Betsy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Violet and Hector; sister, Yvonne Loiselle; brother, Paul Michaud; nephew, Michael Michaud; brothers-in-law, William McElyea, Ted Legros and Richard Ely. A special thanks to Dr. Linda Norrell and staff, Father Gary McInnis, Crestmont Nursing Home staff; Visiting Nurse Services of Michigan Hospice staff, especially nurses Connie and Julia and Chaplain Howard, for the tender loving care provided. Your condolences may be shared with the family at www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com