Milan James McDiarmid

Milan "Mike" McDiarmid
February 29, 1940 – August 6, 2024 (Age 84)
On August 6, 2024, Milan "Mike" McDiarmid of Laingsburg, Michigan passed away from this earthly life into the arms of his savior, Jesus Christ. Mike died peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and friends after a brief illness. Like most things Mike did in life, he went on his own terms. Earlier this year he said he wanted to attend his granddaughter Sara's college graduation and wedding; then he was ready to go. Mike was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Ann McDiarmid, his mother, Florence Cain Hill, his father, Voigt McDiarmid, and his sister Judy Berrio.
He is survived by a son, Thomas McDiarmid (Debby), a daughter, Tammy Roppel (Thaddeus ), four grandchildren, Tomlinson McDiarmid (Brianna), Jessica McDiarmid (Marc Mrazic), Nicholas McDiarmid, and Sara Potts (Chris) of Birmingham, Alabama, five great-grandchildren, and his special loving friend, Pearl Huffman.
Mike was born in Ashley, Michigan. He met the love of his life, Gloria Ann Tomlinson, in Laingsburg and they were married in 1960. Their love was a model for everyone who knew them. Mike worked first as a bricklayer, and then for 30 years at the Fisher Body plant in Lansing. He had numerous hobbies and skills, including motorcycles, fly tying, flying model airplanes, hunting, electronics, stereos, machine work, and amateur radio. He loved fishing, camping, and hiking with friends and family at his cabin in Canada. When Ann died in 2009, he poured his life energy into his family, CB Radio (handle Busy Body), old cars, and antique engines. He annually attended and showed his beautifully restored hit-and-miss engines at shows in Portland, Indiana and Clio, Michigan. Mike could make any gas engine run like a charm, and he had no fear when it came to climbing trees, antenna poles, roofs, or anything else that needed to be done. Besides all that, he was tenderhearted, funny, and always ready to help a friend or a stranger in need. He never took a theology class, but had a remarkable gift for explaining passages from the Bible and making them understandable to anyone. He was an inspiration and an encourager to everyone who knew him.
There will be a graveside service August 17, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. at Reed Cemetery in Laingsburg, Michigan.
The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Laingsburg Chapel. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.WatkinsFuneralHomes.com