Neil Michaels

1936 - 2018

Neil Michaels

Great Falls - Neil John Michaels, 82, of Great Falls, went to heaven on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

A vigil service will be held Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be Friday, September 7, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. also at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

As of August 8, 2016, I am writing my own obituary.

I was born to Ernest and Agnes (Bentges) Michalski on February 2, 1936 in Upstate New York. I married Suzanne Gregory in 1956. We had three children, all girls: Sharon Lynn, Jana Lee and Kimberly Ann. I have three grandsons, Tyler, Bryce & Adrian, one granddaughter, Shaine Rose and one great-grandson, Karter. After 30 years of marriage, unfortunately, our marriage ended.

I served in the United State Airforce for 24 years, with assignments in Korea, Vietnam, Turkey and Thailand, just to name a couple of many. I attended the College of Great Falls and earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and then started my own landscape maintenance business for the next 22 years.

I met my dear companion Maralene Balkovetz in 1986 and 18 years later we were married, happily, I must say.

I thank everyone for their love now, and after I leave this world. God Bless you all. I'll continue to pray that sometime, wherever we are, all will be reunited in God's kingdom. In life, seek the will of God. It will help all of us. My Lord said "Trust and believe in Me, and you shall never die, but be with Me forever in My kingdom."

Dad was a huge sports fan and rooted for his home team, the Yankees, up to his last days. He loved to work with the earth, planting trees, shrubs, flowers and tomato plants and watching them grow.

He is survived by his beloved wife Maralene; his daughter Sharon Michalski and grandson Adrian of Arizona, daughter Jana (Art) Williams, grandson Tyler (Kristie) Williams and great-grandson Karter of Great Falls, and grandson Bryce Williams of Helena, and daughter Kimberly Michalski of Great Falls and granddaughter Shaine Rose of Colorado, stepson Shane (Chantel) Balkovetz of Washington, stepdaugters Jana (Dave) Schmuland of Washington and Shauna (Tom) Cook and grandchildren Makayla, Breanna, Lexi, Karlie and Rachel, all of Great Falls. He is also survived by brothers Craig (Carole) Michalski of Ohio and Brent (Nancy) Michaels of New York and numerous nieces and nephews. His cat, Mandi is keeping his chair warm at home. He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Agnes and Ernest Michalski.

Memorials in Neil's name can be made to the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center, 900 25th Avenue NE, Great Falls, MT 59404 or the Monastery of St. Clare Great Falls, Montana 3020 18th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405.

Condolences for the family can be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.