Szekely, Michael Lee

 

 Age 65 of White Cloud, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 15, 2007.   Mike was born September 11, 1942, the second of 3 sons to Matt & Doris Szekely, at the family home in Kalamazoo, MI.  His father passed away early in Mike’s childhood and his Mother married Terry Williams who raised Mike & his 2 brothers as his own.  Terry & Doris had 2 more children & created a wonderful family for Mike to grow up in.  Mike was a very skilled carpenter & avid hunter & fisherman.  Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 & was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He was then united in marriage to Deedre G. Dougherty, who herself was a widow with 2 daughters.  And like his Dad, Mike raised those girls as if they were his very own.  He & Dee then had 3 more children, one of whom died in infancy, and went on to raise a loving family.  Mike & Dee did divorce in 1981 & remained on good terms from then on to benefit their 4 daughters.  In 1968-69, Michael served in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines.  During his tour of duty he was awarded 2 purple hearts as well as many other medals & commendations.  He was honorably discharged in 1969 in Oceanside, CA.  In 1981, he married Jenny Kittelson.  They were very happy until sadly she died in 1998.  Mike is survived by his children, Vickie (Ronnie) New of Paw Paw, MI, Sheri (Robert) Majure of Gobles, MI, Lisa (Tim) Szekely-Noble of Allegan, MI, & Michelle (Jeffrey) Meir of Holland, MI.  He is also survived by 3 brothers & 1 sister.  Paul Szekely of Mattawan, Mi, Steve (Jackie) Szekely of Kalamazoo, MI,  Denny (Dawn) Williams of Three Rivers, MI, Terry Ellen (Roger) Neeble of Iowa as well as many many friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents & his infant son, Michael Szekely, II.  A time for visitation and sharing will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Crandell Funeral Home in White Cloud from 1 – 3 p.m. with military honors following.  Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – White Cloud Chapel, 1109 Court St.  231-689-1492.  www.crandellfh.com

  

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We appreciate, so very much, all the kindness shown to our Dad over the years when he called White Cloud his home.  He originally came from Kalamazoo, MI, where his kids and most of his family still live.  But he moved to White Cloud many years ago to care for his Mom, Doris Williams, and we all know how much he loved it there.  We especially want to thank his neighbor, Jerry, for watching out for him over the past years while he was ill.  We always felt a little better knowing he had friends close by.  We also want to thank Dad's brothers for being there for him.  They were always so good to him.  And thanks to the Newaygo post of the VFW for the beautiful service of Military Honors presented at Dad's funeral.  He was a very proud Marine and it was a great comfort to us to see the respect shown that we know he so richly deserved.  And thanks to Scott Crandell for helping us through such a difficult time and providing the family with such a nice funeral for our father. 
 
We Love you and will Always Miss You, Dad.  But we know now that you can rest.  And for that we are grateful.  You rest now, Dad.
 
Sheri, Lisa & Michelle 

Posted 12/10/07