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Richard B. Michel

LAKE LINDEN — Richard B. Michel, 72, loving husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018.

Richard was born on August 16, 1946, to Raymond and Loretta (Poisson) Michel in Laurium, the youngest of two children.

He graduated from Lake Linden Hubbell High School in 1964 and married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Cloutier on October 1, 1966, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Lake Linden.

Richard served in the United States Army Reserve for just over two years and then began his lifetime career in the paper industry in 1968. He stayed at the paper mill in Ontonagon until it closed in 2010.

He loved sports. He traveled hundreds of miles to watch his son play football and to watch his grandkids play soccer. He played baseball and coached Little League for many years. He encouraged everyone and stirred a love of the game in many of his players. He enjoyed playing in cribbage tournaments with friends and seemed to find a way to win more often than not. He was funny, quick witted, compassionate, and giving of his time and resources.

He went back to college to be a chef when the paper mill closed and loved being in charge of the kitchen for Little Brothers holiday meals or for large family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Beth; daughters, Jo (Mike) Kiiskila, and Amy (Todd) Landuyt; son, Jim Michel; grandchildren, Ashley Landuyt, Hannah (Ryan) Ormson, Katie Kiiskila, and Jack Kiiskila; sister, Dorothy Michel; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents, Alfred and Marion Poisson.

Plans are being made for a Celebration of Life service in mid January of 2019.

In lieu of flowers, any donations can be directed to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly at houghton.littlebrothers.org.

“And I will rise when he calls my name,

No more sorrow, no more pain,

I will rise on eagles’ wings,

Before my God, fall on my knees,

And rise, I will rise.”