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Michael F. Michel
1954 - 2023
Michael F. Michel
1954 - 2023
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1954
DIED
2023
Michael Michel Obituary
MICHEL, Michael Francis, of Ortonville, MI passed away on January 30th, 2023, at the age of 68. He was born in Detroit, MI and attended the University of Detroit-Mercy. He was a talented automotive engineer, a crossword puzzle buff, and an avid outdoorsman.
He is survived by his wife Robin; his daughters Margaret (Ian Harman) and Rachel; his father Gabriel; siblings Eileen, Gabe, Mary, Margaret, Rita, Liz, Patrick, Theresa, Monica, Dan, Catherine, and Julia; and 42 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother Margaret; his brothers Tom and Frank; and cousin Patrick Downs.
A Funeral Mass will be held in his honor at St. Anne Catholic Church https://www.churchofstanne.org/ in Ortonville, MI on Friday, February 3rd at 11:00 am with visitation starting at 10:00 am.
Donations to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen
https://www.cskdetroit.org/ways_to_give/donations/are requested in lieu of flowers.
Please leave a memory or condolence on Michael’s online guestbook below.
William Mattingly
January 25, 2024
Mike, I can't believe its already been a year. I say a prayer for you every day. You are missed.
Eric Southern
June 25, 2023
Mike was in most of my classes at U. of D. but I really didn't get to know him until we did our COOP stint at RADC in Rome NY. And, what a warm family. His mom and sister came to visit Mike during that Summer in '76 and we visited Ft. Stanwix in which had just opened in town. We drone back to Detroit from Rome one long weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. Being a commuter, he didn't have it easy and I think he was working at the time he was in school too. I was very fortunate to have known such a classy human being.
Jack and Julie Holbert
February 7, 2023
Margaret, Ian and the Michel family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Sending hugs, love Jack and Julie Holbert
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Vicky & Alex Korol
February 5, 2023
Mike and I started at Chrysler at almost the same time in the same department. We were both fresh out of school and became friends. Mike was a great engineer and a lot of fun to be with. Some of my fondest memories are from those early days at Chrysler with Mike - the canoe trips up north, the EFM II softball team, dirt biking and even transmission removal from his van on a driveway in the Winter. Mike was always a gentleman and willing to help anyone with anything. He was taken way too early and will be missed. Our deepest condolences to Robin, Margaret and Rachel.
Maren Gertz
February 4, 2023
Dear Robin, Margaret and Rachel
I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.
May your happy memories bring you peace and comfort.
Love, Maren and Family
DEBORAH MEAGHER
February 4, 2023
Mike was one of the best people I knew from my days at Chrysler. He was a great boss, coworker, and friend. I want to extend a special "Thank you" to his sisters for raising an open minded brother. He used to say he couldn't get away with too much with his sisters around. Mike was a generous soul and a gentleman. He is gone too soon and will be missed by so many. To Robin, Margaret, and Rachel my sincere condolences. Rest in peace, Mike.
Bill and Michelle Sammons
February 3, 2023
Robin, girls, and Mike’ S family, our sincere condolences to you all. Mike was a great neighbor and good person.
David Patasky
February 2, 2023
The Patasky family sends our sincere condolences to the Michel family at this difficult time. Mike was a mentor to me at Chrysler He was gifted at steering me to the right path and cutting through all of the minor distractions. Special prayers for Robin, Margaret and Rachel at this time of loss.
Paula Patterson
February 2, 2023
A wonderful father and husband is now heaven bound but his light shines on here on earth through his very special beautiful daughters. Rachel and Margaret we wish you comfort in your wonderful memories and peace in knowing you now have a special angle watching over you. Rachel you are very special to our family, we love you! Please know our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Much love, Steve, Paula, Ross, and Erin
Patricia Palmer Uschwald
February 2, 2023
The Palmer Family sends our deepest sympathies to the Michel Family during this difficult time. Our families have been in each others lives since childhood. Hard to believe Mike has joined his brothers & cousin. I will always remember Mike as the son that was most like his Mother with his wit, & loving kind nature. We send our hugs & prayers to Robin & the girls. Hoping you can find comfort in knowing his soul is now in endless union with God our father.
Paula Merriman
February 2, 2023
Dear Michael, I know you left us way too soon, but I also know you loved us all. Your sweet soul may already be in heaven, but your memory & good energy will live on forever~wherever it goes, however it is. You must know that we all also loved you very much. You have been a blessing to many of us in your lifetime. I want to thank you Michael for making us all feel loved, welcomed & worthy. I hope to meet more people like you in my life ahead. May the Lord keep you safe & happy in his arms.
Amen
Dear Robin, I am sad for the loss of your deer sweet hubby & your babies father~ I know how much he adored you all because I saw it with my own 2 eyes & my own heart. Michael used to watch us when my Mom needed help & he was funny & kind & only stern when we tested our boundaries. I will never forget his loving, caring heart & his dynamic wit, he reminded me of my Mom. Smart & witty, tough but super kind & a great listener. I hope it helps to know that in your private grief & in the healing years ahead that so many cared for Mike. May you all be blessed with the comfort of your faith , family, & good friends.
I am so sorry for your loss ~
Larry Merfert
February 2, 2023
My deepest condolences to a great man, friend and brother. May you rest in peace.
God bless you Michael
Mike & Cookie Michel
February 1, 2023
Love and condolences to Robin, Margaret, Rachel, Uncle Gabe, and all Mike's siblings and their families. I'm sure we met Mike years ago in Detroit on our visit but sure wish we could have met him again this past year at the family reunion at Dan's. Wish we could be with you all Friday but distance won't allow. Will be with you in prayer. Love to all of you! Hugs! Mike and Cookie
Maura O'Kennedy
February 1, 2023
Dear Robin and family, I am very sorry for your loss. Mike was one of my first mentors when I hired into Chrysler, fresh out of college. He was always good to work with, and a fun person to be with. He was full of humor as evidenced by the time he and a few others put an engine on my desk! He will be missed. I will always smile when I think of him.
JoAnne Sparrow
February 1, 2023
Cousin Mike was the best of the best. Always kind and gentle with the wit of a Michel. I often think if his kindness towards me when I was a child during a rough time. Sometimes it was just a warm hug or the humor in his eyes when he nicknamed me AnnieJo. I know he has gone to a better place surrounded by all the love he gave. I loved Mike. May God bless everyone in his life the way he would have wanted. Peace and love to you all
Diane Klakulak
February 1, 2023
My condolences to your family. I always enjoyed working with Mike at Chrysler -- and going out to lunch with him and listening to his stories. Sorry to hear that he passed away so young.
Br Nick Blattner Ofm Capuchin
February 1, 2023
On behalf of the Capuchin brothers I offer my deepest sympathies on the passing of Michael. It is truly humbling to receive memorial donations in honor of his life. Please be assured of the brother's prayers for the entire Michel family during this great time of grief. May perpetual light shine upon Michael.
Richard Kouzoujian
February 1, 2023
It is difficult for me to commit to writing the significance that Mike has had on me professionally, and by extension, personally. Certainly there are those who will read this that I have worked with over the years, dare I say 34+ years total at Stellantis Powertrain. With all due respect, Mike stands head and shoulders above them all. His calm manner was always the voice of reason to explain very complex situations in language that would just make it happen. Beyond that, Mike was also a very dear friend who has left us way too soon. Rest In Peace.
Quang Vo
February 1, 2023
Thank you Mike for welcoming me with open arms during the Slamin Salmon annual fishing trips. The memories made with you and the guys I will cherish for the rest of my life.
To the Michel family, please accept my condolences. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the family during these times.
Mark Arcori
February 1, 2023
I worked with Mike for a bit and he was a very good engineer and great person, colleague, and friend . I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. God bless him and the family in these difficult times.
Dan & Jean Sweeney
January 31, 2023
Hi Mike,
It has always been enjoyable getting together. Thanks for the great friendship. Farewell - for now. Say hello to Downsy, Frank, Nels.
Robin, Margaret, Rachel,
Please accept our condolences. Cherrish the wonderful memories of Mike/dad. Girls, continue your kind, engaging, firm behavior, and your dad will live on.
Douglas Remell
January 31, 2023
Robin / Margaret / Rachel and family , please accept my condolences for your great loss of a husband and father.
I first met Mike in October of 1988 when Mike took a chance on me and hired me into his group fresh out of college. I ended up working for him for nearly 14 years and he was a great man to work for teaching me the nuances of being a professional engineer. The one thing that always impressed me about him was his command of the English language in the written form with his colorful and direct writing style. He could have easily been a top rate journalist in my opinion. We had many impromptu discussions regarding the proper phrase or word or sentence structure to use in a memo with him assuming the role of teacher and me as the pupil. I am grateful that our paths crossed and that I was able to learn so much from him. He will be sorely missed.
Tiffany Shum
January 31, 2023
To Margaret and the rest of the Michel family - Sending you all lots of love and well wishes during this time.
Mark McMackin
January 31, 2023
Mike was one of those rare gentle giants you meet in your lifetime, his wit and wisdom was diverse and deep.
We shared many adventures - plant visits, hunting, fishing, oh, those construction projects, moving stuffed animals, moving playhouses, getting slab wood for canoe trips, pit fires at SCA that were 40 feet in the air, getting corn for deer, plowing the pond for the girls to skate on.
The best was we were like minded – trips to SCA, we’d talk for 10 minutes on what was to be done, then it was a quite ride – he like that – he didn’t have to be entertaining and I didn’t either – we just knew.
As my boss early on, if he believed you knew what you were doing was correct, he’d let you go, I really enjoyed that trust and we accomplished some pretty amazing things.
I like to think after 40 years we had a bond deeper than brotherhood.
So, I leave you all with a little Star Trek quote from Kirk at Spock’s funeral –
Of my friend, I can only say this, of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the mostHuman.
Richard Kouzoujian
January 31, 2023
It is difficult for me to translate into mere words the impact that Mike Michel had on my professional life ( 35 total years at Stellantis Powertrain ), and by extension, my home life. Ours started out as a boss-employee relationship, however, quickly transitioned into a friendship. There are many talented people I have encountered on my professional journey, some of who will certainly read this. It is without a doubt Mike Michel that I would strive to be most like, and will fall significantly short. Mike had the unique ability to translate a complex problem into more simple terms, always with an eye on the bottom line, AND always having my back. Rest In Peace my dear friend, it is a rest well earned.
Darlene Denning
January 31, 2023
Mike was one of MY favorite B.I.L.'s. My 3 sons LOVED going up to the cabin up north when they were young. Fond memories, along with Xmas wonderful appetizers (different meats) that Mike caught. Tasty treats for all! If you ever needed a HUG....Mike was the BEST "hugger". Sometimes a tad too strong but very comforting. He always had a smile on his face. Many years ago when I was a smoker Mike was always near me outside. God bless you Mike, May you rest in peace and be that wonderful "Guardian Angel" for my sister Robin & your lovely girls Mara, Ian & Rachel.
Max and Adelina Tatone
January 31, 2023
Dear Robin, our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
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5929 South Main Street, Clarkston, MI 48346
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