William Michael "Mike" Applin

William Michael Applin, (Mike), the second oldest of seven children of Bill and Helen Applin, was born in Monroe, MI, on July 16, 1955, passed peacefully on December 23, 2024, from a long battle with prostate cancer. He attended grade school at St. Michael Catholic Grade School and graduated from Monroe High School in 1973. Mike started his own painting company in his early 20s and was well known for his meticulous work. He loved his clients and they loved him. He met his wife Sue (Koepfer) of Sylvania, Ohio, at North Cape Yacht Club where they both sailed and were married in 1991. They were a couple who enjoyed spending time together golfing, fly fishing, and hiking the National Parks.
Mike was very passionate about everything he did, working or playing, including sailing his wooden hull 23-foot sailboat, Cedar Rapids, on Lake Erie, winning many MORC races back in the day.
Mike's biggest passion was bow hunting. His hunting took him to places like Montana, where he took a huge bull elk with his bow, or Alaska with friends, where he shot a awesome caribou. He shot many bears bow hunting in Canada. But his favorite game was always whitetails, taking many great bucks in southern Ohio and especially at his favorite spot in the U.P.
Mike was honest, loving, caring, trustworthy, and generous. He was a loving husband, brother, friend, and uncle to his many nieces and nephews, whom he adored.
He is survived by his three brothers, Pat (Karol), Greg (Mary Ann), and Steve (Kerry), and his three sisters, Linda Hart-Applin, Shelley Lehmann, and Chris Bale, along with 16 nieces and nephews and their many children. He was preceded in death by his loving father and mother, Bill and Helen Applin, grandparents William and Mae Applin, Alton and Zulma Allor, and many special aunts and uncles. Mike will never leave our hearts and we know his spirit of love will always be with us.
Bacarella Funeral Home is assisting the family with cremation and funeral arrangements. Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2nd at the funeral home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48161. There will be a remembering service starting at 6 p.m. followed by the Rosary led by Dcn. Mike Stewart. Mike will lie in state Friday from 10 a.m. until Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 127 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI 48162. The church pastor, Rev. Fr. David Burgard will officiate.. Private inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Luncheon details and continued celebration of Mike's life will be announced at the conclusion of Mass.
Memorials can be made in his name to University of Michigan Cancer Center, 777 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, (https://victors.us/mimed092024), Reel Recovery, 160 Brookside Road, Needham, MA, 02492, where men with cancer come together for support and learn fly fishing, free of charge (Info-reelrecovery.org@shared1.ccsend), Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (arborhospice.org), or St. Mary Catholic Church.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.