Michael A. Weipert

1956 - 2022

(News story)
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

MONROE - Judge Michael A. Weipert, who joined his father in legal practice, became county prosecutor, and served on the Circuit Court bench in Monroe County the last 17 years - in the same courtroom his late uncle used when a judge - died March 3 at home in Monroe Charter Township. He was 65.

He had liver cancer and had been off the bench since January, his sister Debra Weipert said. Intent on overcoming the illness, he kept his condition private from many.

"He was a very strong-willed individual, very determined," his sister said. "He loved what he did. He loved the law, loved working at that courthouse and being on the bench. He was not wanting to give that up."

His death, less than a year after that of his wife, Joyce, for whom he'd been caregiver, stunned colleagues and community.

"He was very affable, very easy to work with. It helped, the fact that I knew him all my life," said Chief Judge Mark Braunlich of 38th Circuit Court of Monroe County. "We are very saddened by his loss. It was so unexpected."

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is accepting applications filed electronically until 5 p.m. Thursday from those who wish to be appointed to the court vacancy, according to the governor's website. Judge Weipert's third six-year term was to expire at the end of 2022. An appointed successor would have to file to run for election this year, Judge Braunlich said.

By coincidence, Judge Braunlich said, Monroe County's three Circuit Court judges - he, Judge Weipert, and Judge Daniel White - were born in May, 1956, and graduated from Monroe Catholic Central High School in 1974.

Judge Weipert had the traditionally appointed courtroom in the county courthouse, often used for swearings-in and other ceremonies.

"It's the old, beautiful courtroom," Judge Braunlich said. "It was meaningful to Mike to occupy his uncle's courtroom."

His uncle, William Weipert, Jr., was appointed to the Monroe County Court bench in 1956 and retired in 1986. After his death in 1995, his nephew said his uncle was known to mete out punishment to fit the crime in hard cases, but otherwise was moderate in sentencing.

The younger Judge Weipert "was very tough on crime, particularly in drug offenses," Judge Braunlich said.

"Mike was seen as open and accessible and was active in the community," Judge Braunlich said. "He was always even-keeled, and he had a good disposition."

He was a former board chairman of the Monroe County Community College Alumni Association and had been an officer of the Monroe Port Commission and the Monroe Kiwanis Club. He was in demand as a master of ceremonies at charitable and civic events and readily performed weddings by request.

"He knew the right things to say," his sister said.

Judge Weipert was first elected to Circuit Court in 2004, running unopposed. He'd narrowly lost a race in 1998 for judge of 1st District Court. He was elected Monroe County prosecutor in 2000, defeating two-term incumbent Edward Swinkey. He'd been asked to run by members of the law enforcement community and was endorsed by the county deputies and corrections officers associations.

As he launched his campaign for prosecutor, he told The Blade, "anything where someone preys on another helpless person, I can't stand those. We're going to take a tough stance on all crime."

He was born May 4, 1956, in Monroe to Aurelia and Victor Weipert. After Monroe Catholic Central, he attended Monroe County Community College, from which he received an associate degree, and the University of Michigan, from which he received a bachelor's degree. He was a 1983 graduate of Detroit College of Law. He joined his father's law practice afterward.

"I cannot remember a time when he wanted to be anything but a lawyer," his sister said. But he also plowed snow for family members and friends and, having worked for a plumber, helped them fix leaks or worse.

"I had a flooded floor. He came over in his suit and tie. He was just every man," his sister said.

He and the former Joyce Braden married Dec. 16, 1989. She died March 14, 2021.

Surviving are his stepdaughter, Kellie Osborne; brother, Victor Weipert, Jr.; sisters Kathleen Weipert, Mary Weipert, Debra Weipert, and Michele Weipert-Winter, who was his twin, and two grandchildren.

At Judge Weipert's request, there will be no visitation. A memorial Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Church, Monroe, where the family will receive guests after 10 a.m. Arrangements are by Bacarella Funeral Home, Monroe.

The family suggests tributes to Holiday Camp of Monroe; the Aurelia M. & Victor H. Weipert, Sr., Orchestral and Band Endowment Fund at St. Mary Catholic Central High School; Monroe County Community College, or a charity of the donor's choice.