Michael L Petersen

When you try to define the sort of person Michael Petersen was to his family and friends, you imagine someone who is an all around great person, who loves his family unconditionally, who always makes himself available when he is needed. This is how Michael will be remembered, as a man whose heart was as pure as gold. The mid 1960s marked a shift from the idyllic innocence of the previous decade into a slow burn of social unrest. Protest movements were at the forefront of discussion as more and more U.S. troops headed for Vietnam. Despite the looming problems within the American society, people still had fun. It was the golden age of drive-in theaters and the Beatles owned the top of the pop charts. In Muskegon, Michigan, William and Gay (Wray) Petersen were celebrating the birth of their newest family member, son Michael Lee, born on April 12, 1965. Already the mother of three children, Gay remembers thinking that when Michael was born, her contractions werent that bad at first and wasnt ready to head to the hospital just yet. Luckily, her neighbor convinced her to go right away because by the time she got there she was 8 centimeters dilated and Michael was born two hours later. Michael was the youngest of four children with older siblings, William, Richard and Corrine. His father provided for the family working for Consumers Energy and as a certified welding instructor, while his mother split her time being a nurse and a housewife. Michael was 5 when his family moved to Grand Junction, and two years later they moved to Jackson. Wherever they lived, they made sure they were always near water, a pastime they all loved. What better pet to have living by the water than a duck and Michael had one named Stevie. Everyone loved Stevie and talked to him just to hear him quack back (like he understood). Michael even walked Stevie on a leash in a parade that was a sight! As a child, Michael attended the Jackson area schools, and spent much of his leisure time riding his bike, sledding, playing with friends and participating in Cub Scouts. He wasnt without his moments of mischief though like when he was 6 and decided to spit his gum out the window of the moving car and it came back in, landing in his hair. Needless to say, he got a haircut by his mom. On another occasion, Michael came home from school one Monday and informed his mom that he did a whole weeks worth of homework in study hall so he didnt have to go back for the rest of the week. It wasnt usually for Michael to correct one of his teachers either when they misquoted something. It was obvious at a young age that Michael had a big heart. He loved his family and animals of all kinds, and found his mothers cooking irresistible, especially her cheesy potatoes and ham and homemade spaghetti sauce. Time together as a family was important to the Petersens and they took many memorable trips to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wyoming and Cedar Point over the summer. Michael particularly loved when they could go swimming or sailing on Silver Lake. Tragically, the family suffered a great loss when Michaels oldest brother, Billy, was killed in an auto accident in 1981. Michael took this loss very deeply, and never again took his family for granted. After Michael graduated from Northwest High School in 1983, his family moved to Grand Haven. However, Michael went on to attend Muskegon Community College, where he graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Science (drafting technology). He then put his education to good use working at Glassource in Grand Haven for the last 15 years, and enjoyed the many friends he made among his co-workers. It wasnt long before Michael bought his first home in Grand Haven, and shared it with his best friend and loyal companion, Ranger. Of all the great things in Michaels life, time spent with his family towered above the rest. He was the coolest uncle ever to his three nieces and three nephews. A big kid himself, Michael would rather get down on the floor and play games with the kids, than sit with the stuffy adults. Having a big brother to hang out with was great too especially when he wins tickets to the Super Bowl and takes Michael with him. The only thing better was their team, the 49ers, won the Super Bowl, beating out the Denver Broncos 55-10. There wasnt anything Michael wouldnt do for his family. Like everything, he did so willingly and lovingly. When he wasnt helping others, Michael enjoyed working on his own house, reading, collecting coins and joining in a monthly card game with his friends. He lived a healthy, active lifestyle and always took care of himself, making his tragic passing even more heartbreaking for his family and friends. What gave Michael the greatest joy was sharing himself with his family, offering them the most precious thing he possessed his time. It is a gift none of them will ever forget. Michael Lee Petersen, age 45, passed on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. He is survived by his parents, William & Gay Petersen; brother, Richard (Doreen) Petersen; sister, Corrine (Corky) Blackmore; nieces, Bridget, Victoria & Miranda; nephews, Joseph "Joe", Ryan & Richard "Ben"; several aunts, uncles & cousins; friend & loyal companion, his dog, Ranger. He was preceded in death by his brother, William "Bill"; grandparents, and Aunt Phyllis. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 12, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church with The Very Reverend Fr. Jared C. Cramer officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is on Monday, October 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Humane Society. Please visit Michaels personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.