Michael Finn

1949 - 2025

Michael E. Finn, age 75 (AKA "Mike", "Micky Finn", " Harold") passed away from this life on July 13th in the arms of his loving wife, Rhonda.
Mike was born on September 9, 1949 to Harry and Mary (McDermaid) Finn in Alpena, MI. The family moved to Cheboygan when he was 3 years old. Mike graduated from Cheboygan Catholic High School in 1967, attended Alpena Community College and graduated from Michigan State University in 1973. Mike was a life long, ardent Spartan!
While attending MSU he worked for the Michigan State Police in the crime lab which led to his career in Criminal Justice. He worked for the Allegan County District Court as a Probation Officer for over 30 years, eventually becoming head of the department. Mike was a popular fixture in the Allegan social world and made many lifelong friends through work and the Long Branch Saloon.
Mike had many interests. He loved photography and nature, so he would only hunt with his camera. He was an avid reader. He loved Great Lakes freighters (he was a proud boat nerd) and even had the chance to travel on them twice. He served as a board member of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLKKA) in his retirement. He loved the "Mighty Mack" (Mackinaw Bridge) and delighted in taking many friends to the top of the north tower, regaling them with some of his famous one liners, much to everyone's amusement.
Mike loved his friends and he made a lot of them, starting at an early age. His annual fishing trips with a group of friends from childhood were legendary. He had wonderful trips to Green Turtle Cay with friends from Allegan. He traveled extensively and was always ready for the next adventure. He was known for his sense of humor and love of life.
After more than 30 years of special friendship, he married Rhonda (Ziegler) on September 15, 2015. During their almost 10 years of marriage, they were able to travel with friends and family on cruises and other trips and spent many winters in Florida.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda; sisters Sue (Finn) Shortino (Leonard) of Colorado and Lori Finn Ziegler, of Grand Rapids; brothers-in-law Dave (Jan) Ziegler of Lansing and Jim Ziegler of Cheboygan; nephews and nieces Abby Erhorn (Tyler) of Grand Rapids, Meg Boore (Joey) of Grand Rapids, Patric Shortino (Lauren) of Colorado, Carrie Ziegler Thomas (Adam) of Wisconsin, Amy Chambers (Jeremy) of Petoskey; great nieces and nephews Hudson, Brady, Nora, Benett, Henry, Annabelle and Alice. Mike was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Mary Finn, brother-in-law Mike Ziegler and sister-in-law Sue Ziegler.
Special thanks go to the caregivers at Linda Margaret's Retirement Community for their kindness, compassion and loving care these last few months; and to the team at Advisacare Hospice of Charlevoix for their guidance and tender care. Special thanks also to Pat Schertzing for her love and support during Mike's illness.
We believe Mike now has a whole new audience for his one liners, which would certainly be a big part of his idea of heaven!!
A visitation will be held Friday, August 15th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nordman Christian Funeral Home, 302 S. Huron Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 16th at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 312 S. Western Ave. Cheboygan, MI 49721 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mike's memory to GLKKA, 707 N. Huron Ave. or St. Thomas Food Pantry, 312 Western Ave. Cheboygan, MI 49721.