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LABELLE, MICHAEL MARK
Michael LaBelle, aged 66, of Sand Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in Gulf Breeze, Florida in a tragic event. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert Henry LaBelle and Ella Martha (Frederick) of Riverview, Michigan. Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Cynthia [Cindy] Mae (Knorowski); and cherished daughter Bridgit Jeannine (Edward John Kruskamp), their children Nicole Eleese and Payne Jeffrey; cherished daughter Michelle Marie (Jonathan Howard Plott) and their children Sophia Marie LaBelle-Plott and Jonathan Evan LaBelle-Plott; and cherished daughter Christine Renee, (Craig William Harrison) and their children Abigail Mae, Josephine Rose, and Penelope Laurel. He is also survived by his brothers David Frederick (Elizabeth Singer) and Steven Patrick (Sandra Gagne); his sisters Dianne Ellen (David Bass) and Denise Joanne (Dennis Gross); and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mike was born in Wyandotte in 1946 and had his first job as a paper boy for the Detroit News in the 1950s. He graduated from Riverview Community High School in 1964, 5th in the class, and was a National Merit Semi Finalist. He attended Wayne State University. Mike began his professional life as a UAW electrical apprentice at Ford Motor Company where he worked for 11 years as a journeyman electrician. In 1976 the family moved to Newaygo County, where he built their family home. Mike retired from General Motors as Senior Electrical Engineer in 2006 after 28 years at the 36th Street plant in Wyoming, Michigan. Mike was well respected by all his coworkers and was recognized for his intelligence and love of technology.
He had a passion for knowledge and enjoyed sharing it with everyone he met family, friends, coworkers, and casual acquaintances. He was a true family man, and had said that having children was the greatest thing he ever did in life that it gave his life meaning. He volunteered as a 4-H leader, Grant Music Booster, helped with Girl Scout activities, and attended multiple school activities. Mike has said the days on earth were analogous to coins: you are given a finite amount of coins to spend, but you dont know how many you have and you have to spend one per day. Where you spend them is up to you. He was a Mr. Fix It and many of the family homes have some of his handy work in them. He voted in most elections, served jury duty many times, was a township planning commissioner, and wrote his congressman routinely. Mike and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home to visit their family and to see the amazing natural wonders of the U.S National and state parks. Per his wishes, he gave the ultimate gift of organ donation and cremation has taken place. A private family memorial will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital.
