Michael L. Bevins

Mischievous, energetic, and always late, Michael was the very picture of someone too much in love with life to ever slow down. Whether it was excelling in his professional life, pursuing one of his many hobbies, or spending time with his beloved family, Michael lived life to the fullest. This passion and determination continued to the very last days of Michaels life, when his stubborn fight for survival allowed him to outlive his doctors expectations. Michael was born on February 26, 1958, in Muncie, Indiana. His mother, Sandra, was still a student at Ball State University, so Michael became known as the boy born between classes. Keith Feller was the proud father. Michael was a quick birth he was in a hurry to enter the world. Unfortunately Michael's parents divorced sometime later. Sandra later remarried John Blair, who became a father to Michael and his siblings, Marlene and Mark. Michael was a mischievous child, who loved setting booby traps and sometimes running away from home (but never very far). One time, when a bonfire he set got out of control, Michael ran inside shouting, You can call the police later, but call the fire department now! Michael attended elementary school in Lawrence, IN, and Carmel, IN. The family then moved to Marquette, Michigan, where Michael attended junior high and high school. Michael loved to dance disco as a teenager, and won many awards with his sister, Marlene. Michael and Marlene were born only a year apart, and could easily pass as twins. One year for Halloween, they decided to dress up as each other. Their costumes were so successful that a boy Marlene liked asked Michael out for a date! Michael enjoyed many outdoor activities with his family, including camping, boating, hiking, downhill skiing, snow-shoeing, diving, swimming, and sailing. By the time he was fourteen, however, he had found a part-time job at a local restaurant, which kept him from going on most family vacations. After graduating from Marquette High in 1976, Michael went on to Northern Michigan University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice in 1981, and decided to pursue a career in law. He worked hard, and graduated Juris Doctor cum laude from Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1985. He passed the bar on his first attempt and was hired at Scholten-Fant Attorneys. Early on he appeared before a judge who exclaimed, "Son, when you come before me in court you need to bring an attorney. Michael's reply was, "Sir, I am the attorney. Energetic and determined, Michael steadily worked his way up in the firm, eventually becoming a partner. In his free time, Michael enjoyed spending time with good friends Mike Chiconsky, David Denise, John Scholten, Jim Dunn, and many more. While attending NMU, Michael married. Although his marriage ended, he was blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter: Brie Elizabeth. Active, fun-loving, and always ready to lend a helping hand, Michael was a wonderful father. He bought Brie white roller skates with red wheels and pompoms, and patiently taught her to roller skate and dance on skates. Michael often took her along to work, letting her act as his secretary. Father and daughter both enjoyed downhill skiing and water-skiing (Brie tried to convince Michael to try snowboarding), and took two trips to Mexico. Michael spent years as a social worker in the Community Mental Health System and two years working for the Michigan Court of Appeals. After a year with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service practicing exclusively in special education law, Michael was engaged in a general solo practice until 1995. As a partner in the Scholten Fant Law firm, Michael had represented school districts in the area of school law with the primary emphasis in the area of special education. Michael was an adjunct professor at Grand Valley University and Western Michigan University where he taught graduate courses in Special Education Law. Michael was also a frequent lecturer on special education law. Michael continued to excel in his professional field, and was elected President of the National Association of Attorneys. He was also a member of the Ottawa County Bar Association and the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, and taught Special Education Law at Grand Valley State University. Michael found a beloved companion when he met Mary Pollock. Michael and Mary shared many professional and personal interests, including fishing, gardening, concerts, cooking, and dancing. They especially enjoyed boating in the moonlight, and have fond memories of times spent on Manitou Island. Michael and Marys friendship soon deepened into love, and they became engaged to be married. In recent years, Michael was delighted to become a grandfather with the birth of granddaughter Bella. Papa loved spending time with Bella, and built her an elaborate dollhouse. They often watched videos together, and went to see the Nutcracker Suite. In April of this year, Michael found the strength to go on a family Disney cruise, even though the cancer was taking its toll. A Yooper at heart, Michael grew up in Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. Michigan's west coast was the perfect place for Michael, since he loved the water and spent his free time on his boat, fishing, tending to his saltwater aquarium and scuba diving. Intelligent, generous, and passionate, Michael was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members. Michael L. Bevins passed away on August 3, 2012, at the age of 54, after a courageous battle with cancer. His family includes his parents, Sandy (John) Blair of Sparta, GA; his daughter, Brie Rantala of El Paso, TX; his granddaughter, Bella Coleman; his sister, Marlene (Rick) Jackson of Duluth, GA; his brother, Mark (Becky) Willman of Savannah, GA; his fiance, Mary Pollock of Holland; his nieces and nephews, Kim, Amie, Nathan, Stephen, Ian, and Devin; several grand-nieces and nephews; and his beloved canine companions, Amber and Jack. A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, at the Clock Chapel-Grand Haven with Rev. Ben Jansen officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society-Research or the Hospice House of Holland. Please visit Michaels personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.