Michael Timothy Cleaver

Mike was there when our family needed him. His humor and compassion always welcome. The great friendship was present for dozens of years. Always loved the Super Bowl parties! Teresa and I are truly shocked. Yvonne, our love and prayers are with you and your family and will hopefully help guide you through this challenging time.

Remembering the Cleaver family in our prayers !
We grew up in Taylor too and we remember you all. We graduated with Rob in '78.

Mark Kinczkowski

I met Mike a few years back playing hockey at the Plymouth Cultural Center. I'll miss his presence on the ice.

I´ve known Mike for about 20 years through beer league hockey. Mike was always a great guy to get on your team. He was always so passionate about helping his team and teammates on the ice. Where we loved Mike the most was in the dressing room due his always positive, upbeat, jovial, big personality. You will be missed Big Guy. God Bless.

My deepest condolences to Mike's family and friends. I met Mike over 20 years ago as a part of MDOT Metro Region family. Mike was a tremendously dedicated professional who worked hard and represented the Department in the best way. I will miss his larger than life personality and sense of humor. Rest in Peace my friend.

Yvonne and family..we are saddened and shocked by this loss. Mike and I worked at MDOT Bay City TSC in the early 90s. I am happy that Mike, Yvonne and Ophelia stopped and visited us at our cottage this past summer. Mike you will be missed.
Dave and Kathy Bourdow

Being neighbors of Mike and Yvonne these past 15 years meant a lot of conversations shared over the fence or across the lawn. Mike was always such an upbeat guy and willing to help out in any way he could. It is such a tremendous loss for our neighborhood, and as silly as it sounds I will miss shoveling snow with him. Yvonne and family we are so sorry for your loss. Our whole family feels it, especially the kids because they don't know a world without Mike.

Very sad to hear of Mike's passing. Met Mike in '04 when I was hired at MDOT. Spent may years after that getting to know him. I was born/raised in Taylor as well so we had alot in common when it came to the City. Ended up finding out I moved into his neighborhood and lived just around the block from each other. Mike walked the neighborhood pretty much daily. After retiring from MDOT he would often stop at my house to chat and catch up. He'd goof around with my kids in the yard as if they were his own grandkids, it was always a fun time. He definitely was a larger than life kind of guy. I will forever remember his unique laugh too, it got me every time. Mike will truly be missed!

I met Mike while working for the Michigan Department of Transportation, and was his supervisor for many years. Besides being a dedicated employee, I will always remember his big personality and his outgoing nature. And then there was our common love of ice hockey. In 2004, we were working on US-12 in Canton and Mike saw none other than Gordie Howe heading into the Artic Ice rink in Canton to watch his grandson play. Mike headed over, and struck up a conversation with Gordie as only Mike could do. I was working at my desk on Goddard Rd in Canton when the phone rang, and when I answered the voice on the other end said, "It's Gordie, I used to play with Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay." I thought it was a prank at first but the more he talked the more I recognized the voice of Gordie Howe. Quite a thrill talking to Mr. Hockey. Mike had set it up by asking Gordie if he wouldn't mind speaking with me, dialed me up on his MDOT phone and when I answered, handed it to Gordie.

It's my favorite hockey memory. Thanks Mike- and thanks for being such a good guy.

I Met Mike this past summer volunteering at the Taylor conservatory gardens. What an upbeat, friendly and happy person he was. We helped set up for scarecrow stroll in October at the gardens, it was so nice working with Mike that day, kept me on my toes and laughing. What a wonderful world this would be if everyone was more like Mike.
My deepest condolences and prayers for Yvonne and Mike's family.
Tania Newberry

Yvonne and family....I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm still shocked that he has left us so soon. I have known Mike since the early 90s when I started working for MDOT, and I can truly say it was never a dull moment with him around. I'm certain he has left each of us with plenty of stories and memories to make us smile. Rest in Peace Cleave...you will be missed.

Yvonne, I was so surprised to learn about Mike's passing today. I am profoundly sorry for your loss. What a wonderful and big personality Mike was. The world was a better place thanks to him. I sure will miss hearing his big voice and laugh and calling him out by his nickname, Coloradooo!!! I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of him from our hockey days together back in the 1980s in Traverse City. So many laughs and wonderful memories with Mike. Rest in peace buddy you lived a good life.

God bless you big Mike! Larger than life.. The many good times we had together in Traverse City and all the rock `n´ roll shows behind the Ren-Center. Fishing on your boat in Lake Erie, these will never be forgotten. Rest in peace brother see you on the flipside! Thanks for all the great experiences -Tommy Thompson.

I would like to express my condolences to the Cleaver family on Mikes passing. I worked at the Taylor TSC many years ago. Mike was a valuable member of the MDOT Metro Region family. Mike loved playing hockey. He will be missed but not forgotten.

I am so saddened and shocked by this loss. Mike was a loyal and dedicated friend and colleague. I will miss his positive upbeat attitude. He was a gentleman and had everyone´s best interest in mind if he knew you. Another good man taken from us.

We have lost a truly special person. My sincere condolences to the family.
~Leslie Love, MDOT Metro Region

Will miss Mike´s ever-present smile. Glad we had a chance to golf a few rounds and reconnect this past year.

The passing of Michael Cleaver hit me with sadness and a heavy heart. Mike was a good friend, an amazing coworker, and an essential member of MDOT-Metro Region Family. I remember his love of people and care for everyone around him. Always greeted me with a warm smile, a strong handshake, and a brotherly hug. I hope your journey my friend Mike will be very pleasant one and full of peace and tranquility and may your lovely family and all your relatives and close friends have the patience to endure this big loss after you. Goodbye my friend!

Yvonne, Karen, Tom, Rob, Kim, my deepest condolences to you and your families. I have always cherished the memories of growing up with Mike and yourselves on Myler street. Mike had that personality that brought a smile and laughter to everyone he knew. He was always the first to lend a helping hand to those in need. On occasion when I was in Taylor I would happen to see Mike and the “Mayor” would give me an update on family, friends an local events. He knew everyone and everything.

Michael, your memory will live on with everyone you touched. Your star will forever shine bright.

Peace my friend.

Jim and Chris Janiczek.

Sorry for your loss. I met Mike through playing hockey. He was a big guy with a big heart. Loved playing hockey and helping other's. Prayers for the family. Rip big guy. Thomas Cochrane.

To the Cleaver family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Mike was so good to our parents in their later years, and we all loved him and his warm, generous spirit. He was the "Mayor of Myler Street" and will be greatly missed.